CHRIS Sutton has already had talks with Blackburn Rovers manager Brian Kidd and chief executive John Williams about his future with Blackburn Rovers.
Speculation in a national newspaper today claimed he would be called in by Kidd and put up for sale this week if he intimated he wanted to leave Rovers after relegation.
But discussions were held yesterday between Sutton and the two leading officials - at the player's instigation, which could be significant.
The chief executive confirmed the talks but said he was not in a position to disclose details of them.
All the obvious signs, however, point to the striker being at the centre of a drawn-out summer transfer saga.
Rovers will not willingly push Sutton out of the door, even if he intimates he wants to move rather than play in the First Division.
But they might be left with no choice. For there is an escape clause in Sutton's contract which allows him to leave, under certain conditions.
Those conditions are believed to include a fee of at least £10 million but there could be other strings attached to complicate the situation even further.
Although the player has twice said quite openly and without prompting that he intended staying with Rovers even if they were to be relegated, the reality of the situation is another matter.
Not least in his thoughts will be the fact that Sutton has now got a chance of establishing himself in the England squad and, playing in the First Division, he might well be overlooked by Kevin Keegan. Can he afford to take that chance?
The fans have long feared that he would leave if the worst happened and the club went down, despite what has been said.
It is a different scenario to when other stars quit the club.
This time Rovers cannot offer Premiership football and, while hopes will be high depending on what happens during the summer, there is no guarantee that they will be able to bounce back first time.
It is only natural for top players, especially those with England ambitions, to consider if their international prospects will be damaged by a season in the Nationwide First Division.
And Sutton has only just been given renewed hope of playing on the biggest stage by Kevin Keegan, following his exile under Glenn Hoddle.
Stephane Henchoz is another who looks to be on his way, though Jason Wilcox made a refreshing declaration of loyalty to the club, insisting he was staying.
Nathan Blake has had an operation to solve the shin injury which kept him out of the relegation run-in.
He is expected to take six-eight weeks to recover and the club hope he will be ready for pre-season training in July.
Ewood stages the first Academy under-17s final tonight when Rovers take on Manchester City (kick-off 7.30pm).
Rovers have given some outstanding performances to reach the final, including away wins over Arsenal (on penalties) and Manchester United (in extra time).
City pipped Newcastle in the semi-finals to earn a crack at Rovers.
Admission tonight is £3 adults, £1 children with the Jack Walker Stand open.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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