Blackburn Rovers will step up their bid to sign Bastia defender Sebastian Perez next week.

Rovers are leading the chase for the highly-rated Frenchman who had also attracted the attention of Marseille.

Since Marseille pulled out of the race Rovers, who lodged a £2.5 million bid for the player, have been clear favourites and will hope to close in on his signature over the next few days as Roy Hodgson continues his squad strengththening.

Hodgson has already brought in Kevin Davies, Jim Corbett and Darren Peacock and wants Perez to add to his defensive options.

And if Perez signs he is likely to be the first of a second wave of new arrivals when football gets back to business for pre-season training early next month.

Meanwhile, former Rovers defender Chris Sulley, who was at Ewood Park for six years before moving to Port Vale in 1992, has joined Bolton's youth academy.

Existing Blackburn Rovers season ticket holders are reminded that the last date for guaranteed renewal of their existing seat is Saturday, July 4, 1998. For further details on season tickets either visit the stadium or call our season ticket hotline free on 0321 one-nil one-nil one-nil.

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