EVERTON central defender Craig Short has been lined up as another transfer target by Blackburn Rovers manager Brian Kidd - and talks are ongoing between the two clubs about a possible deal in the region of £2 million.

In a whirlwind couple of days of transfer activity, Rovers have clinched the £750,000 - plus £250,000 based on appearances - capture of Simon Grayson from Aston Villa.

And, with Tim Flowers on the verge of joining Leicester City in a move that could be worth as much as £1.5 million, they are also closing in on Sheffield United keeper Alan Kelly who was talking personal terms today.

But Rovers would not make any comment at all on speculation that they are the "mystery" club that has made a bid - believed to be £3 million - for Bradford City's transfer-listed striker Robbie Blake.

That in itself infers they are interested in the striker, though it was suggested at the Bradford end that the unnamed bidders were in the Premiership.

A contact close to Valley Parade said: "Middlesbrough, which is Blake's home town, have been interested in him for some time but it is also thought that Blackburn are keen."

Meanwhile, I believe a fee of £1.7 million, with add-ons taking the potential total to £2 million, will be acceptable to Everton for Short. But, even though the player has been given permission to speak to Rovers, there is still no guarantee that he will agree to step down a division.

Cash-strapped Everton are keen to take the money but the player might not be as anxious to lose his Premiership place.

Short has turned down Rovers before, joining Derby County instead.

He was at Notts County when Kenny Dalglish tried to sign him.

The arrival of utility man Grayson on a three-year contract was announced by the club today and he is the first signing of the summer for Kidd, whose squad has been decimated by injuries.

Grayson, 29, revealed that he needed a fresh start away from Villa and felt he still had a great deal to offer.

"It didn't take me long at all to opt for a move to Ewood Park," he said.

"Everything about the club is Premiership class.

"Brian Kidd impressed me too and I certainly don't think it will be too long before Rovers are back where they belong.

"I stuck it out last season (at Villa) and it was frustrating not to be in the side more. I never complained, I just carried on hoping that finally I would get a chance.

"But when the season ended I decided the time had come to make a clean break. "I had seen reports of the players the manager was intending to bring in and I was worried I would just be in the same position again.

"But I really enjoyed my spell at Villa and it's just a pity I couldn't have played more of a part in what they achieved.

"Last season just ended up being a wasted one for me and I still feel I have a lot to give to a team.

"There's a lot I want to achieve.

"If that meant moving away or stepping down a league I was prepared to do that."

Kidd said: "Simon is just the sort of player we need, someone of experience who can operate in a variety of roles. I am really pleased he has agreed to join us."

Kelly could well be the next, probably for around £600,000.

The keeper rejected overtures from Aberdeen after they had agreed a fee of £400,000 rising to £575,000, and explained why.

It was reported earlier this week that the Dons pulled the plug on their bid to sign the 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international after he failed to appear for talks. Kelly had been expected at Pittodrie on Monday to open discussions with the Dons manager Ebbe Skovdahl and chairman Stewart Milne.

But he said: "On Sunday night I had a long conversation with Stewart Milne, the Aberdeen chairman, and we discussed the package for going up there.

"He told me the wage structure up there - and I was already outside the wage structure with what I am on at Sheffield United. And we mutually agreed that the transfer wasn't going to happen."

Leicester have agreed to pay Rovers £1.1 million for Flowers, with another £400,000 on appearances and he was travelling for talks today.

The Premiership club were confident they could seal a deal.

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