MIDDLESBROUGH boss Bryan Robson has slapped a 'not for sale' notice on Rovers transfer target Brian Deane.
Robson said that the 32-year-old striker, who hit double figures for Boro last season despite missing a chunk of the season with broken ribs, is not on the market.
However, that's not expected to deter Blackburn with the situation likely to change once Boro manage to land one of the goalscorers they are pursuing.
The Teessiders have agreed a £6 million fee with Chelsea for former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton, although he now looks set to join Celtic. And they are also chasing Barcelona's Portuguese international Dani.
Rovers boss Graeme Souness confirmed yesterday that he had made a "firm enquiry" about Deane.
But he admitted that the deal isn't imminent. And with the Sutton move now up in the air for Boro and Barcelona awaiting a new coach, it could be well into next month before Souness will know whether he can land the former Leeds and Sheffield United front man or whether he must turn his attentions elsewhere.
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