EGIL Ostenstad could well turn his back on a potential transfer to Turkey in order to join Blackburn Rovers - Kevin Davies moving to Southampton in a straight swap.

Fenerbahce have a bid on the table for the Norwegian striker - believed to be around £4 million - but Ostenstad was talking to Rovers today with prospects of agreeing terms looking quite bright.

Davies has already agreed personal terms with his former club Saints and is taking medicals.

The two clubs have set up the move over the last few days, as we exclusively revealed in our later editions last night.

And Ostenstad's agent Rune Hauge confirmed today that a deal was virtually done.

Given Fenerbahce's interest and offer, the swap will probably be valued at £4 million if and when it is completed.

That would mean Rovers having to absorb a big loss on Davies but he has had a torrid time since his £7.25 million club record transfer in the summer of last year.

Ewood chief executive John Williams said today: "The two clubs have effectively reached an agreement.

"We have to finalise talks with Egil and there are some loose ends.

"I am taking nothing for granted until contracts are signed. But I am not being reticent. "I was blown a bit sideways when it appeared in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last night and there is a bit of work still to do.

"But I think it's looking okay at the moment."

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe admitted they had done everything they could to keep the Norwegian, who is in the final year of his contract, but to no avail.

"We pushed the boat out for Egil so we had to decide what to do."

Southampton boss David Jones would, understandably, have liked to keep Ostenstad but he will also have been instrumental in accepting Davies back at The Dell.

And he feels that part of the deal is more or less settled.

"I understand we have agreed terms with Kevin and he's having a medical in case the deal goes through," said Jones.

"But it all depends on Egil who is having talks.

"I haven't heard anything apart from a lot of phone calls from the Norwegian Press. They tell me that it's on but I haven't heard anything official yet.

"The chairman had talks with Egil about a new contract last week and offered him the best deal possible but he declined it."

Ostenstad's agent Rune Hauge said the deal was virtually done. It could be later today, or even tomorrow, before anything is finalised as Ostenstad will also have to take the usual medicals.

But, if things go well, Rovers could have him in their line-up to face Barnsley at Ewood on Saturday.

Last season, the Norwegian made 27 Premiership starts for Southampton and scored seven goals to finish as joint top scorer with Matt Le Tissier.

The previous season he hit 11 League goals and was again joint top marksman with Le Tissier.

Brian Kidd today once again refused to comment on the speculation concerning the possibility of taking legal action against Sir Alex Ferguson following the launch of his book.

But I can confirm that, even though Kidd refuses to get involved, the stories are wide of the mark.

And chief executive John Williams today said that reports of detailed discussions with the Ewood board about legal action were just not true.

"This has simply not happened," he said. We have been very close to Brian about this because he was and is deeply hurt by what was written. But there have not been any formal discussions with the club at all. It is purely a personal matter."

Rovers' games against Bolton (home, Aug 30) and Swindon (away, Sep 4) have, as expected, been called off because of international call-ups. New dates will be announced shortly.

Celtic have appointed ex-Rover Terry Gennoe as their new goalkeeping coach. Gennoe had a similar role at Ewood before joining Newcastle when Kenny Dalglish was in charge. He then moved to Newcastle but has answered the call of Parkhead coach John Barnes.

Celtic were criticised by new goalkeeper Dmitri Kharine, who claimed a club of their stature should have a specialist to help with their goalkeepers.

Gennoe said: "I am delighted to work with John, Terry (McDermott) and Kenny again. Celtic is one of the best known names in football, and I am delighted to join them at such an exciting time."

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