BLACKBURN Rovers have launched a new bid to sign St Etienne defender Lucien Mettomo, writes ANDY NEILD.

And that could spark a transfer merry-go-round featuring out-of-favour Christian Dailly and Celtic's Israeli international midfielder Eyal Berkovic.

Rovers officials tabled a new improved offer of £4.5m for Cameroon international defender Mettomo yesterday.

And chief executive John Williams was today hoping to hear whether or not that new bid had been accepted.

"We've upped the offer and we are now hoping St Etienne will accept it then we can get the player over for talks and a medical as soon as possible," said Williams.

"I would expect to know at some point today whether or not our new offer is acceptable. Then we can put the next stage into action."

Contrary to speculation, Rovers have only made one previous bid for the player, which was in the region of £3.5m.

That was subsequently rejected but the Ewood board then met again earlier this week to discuss their position in light of the new proposals over a revamped transfer system.

And, after deciding to up the stakes, manager Graeme Souness is quietly confident that he will get his man this time.

If that deal goes through then that could mean one of Rovers' present central defenders could be allowed to leave.

Souness was a satisfied man after last night's thumping 6-1 victory over Rochdale in the Worthington Cup. Rovers won the tie 7-2 on aggregate and now face a two-legged clash with Portsmouth in round two.

And, as I understand it, I believe Souness would be prepared to set up a swap deal involving Dailly and Berkovic.

But reports in Scotland suggesting a deal has already been thrashed out is well wide of the mark.

But Souness has made no secret of his admiration for the Israeli international after giving him his big break in English football during his time at Southampton.

And Dailly would appear to be the odd man out at present after being dropped for Rovers' last two games. In any event, such a deal would only hinge on Souness signing another defender first.

But, if Mettomo was to sign, that would leave the manager with five recognised centre backs on the books in Dailly, Craig Short, Marlon Broomes, Martin Taylor and any new man. Should the Mettomo deal fall through then Rovers are likely to switch their attentions to Manchester United's Henning Berg.