FORMER Blackburn Rovers' transfer target John Carew could be the subject of the next major transfer move from Norway with Manchester United being linked to him in a near-£5 million deal, writes PETER WHITE.

Rovers tried to sign the 18-year-old Norwegian striker last year, after he had extensive trials at Ewood and played in a reserve team game.

But he turned them down in favour of completing his education and moving from Second Division side Lorenskog to Norwegian First Division side Vaalerenga.

Carew, who had been recommended to Rovers by Henning Berg - now, of course, with Manchester United - would not have cost anything like £5 million at the time he came to Blackburn.

But it looks as though Rovers have now missed out on him anyway, as he is reported as saying he would be very keen to go to Old Trafford.

The teenage prodigy scored in a friendly against United earlier this week and they are believed to have watched him before that game.

There are no suggestions of any lingering Ewood interest in the young striker, who had two seperate trials in Blackburn before deciding it would be best for him to stay in Norway at the time. But Rovers have had many changes of management and staff since he was first brought to their attention and travelled to England with his family.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.