BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is facing a potential tug-of-war with Spanish superpower Deportivo La Coruna over Russian winger Valeri Karpin.

Souness is a known admirer of Karpin and sent scouts to watch the 33-year-old in action for Celta Vigo last month with a view to making a possible swoop for the player in the summer.

However, reports in Spain have indicated that Deportivo coach Javier Irureta is also ready to join the race for the talented wideman after the pair worked successfully together at Real Sociedad and Vigo.

Karpin -- who has a wealth of international experience -- would be available on a free at the end of the season as his current contract is due to expire in the summer.

And he is ready to walk out on his current employers after being angered by what he considers to be a derisory offer to persuade him to stay -- prompting a likely scramble for his services both in England and on the continent.

"It's incredible that a player who's given his all to a club should have these kinds of problems to arrange a deal," said his agent Miguel Santos.

"He's willing to reduce the financial demands, but not the length of the contract, that's unacceptable."

Karpin has already indicated he may yet favour a move to the Premiership, where he is also a target for Derby boss John Gregory.

Rovers have already revealed he is one of a number of players who Souness is tracking with a view to the summer.

However, the lure of joining a top European outfit like Deportivo may yet prove too tempting to resist as the player looks for one last big move in his career.