BLACKBURN Rovers have lodged a £2.5 million bid for Bastia's Sebastian Perez, writes PETE OLIVER.

And, if successful in their pursuit of the French defender, his arrival will take Blackburn's summer spending through the £10 million barrier. Rovers' chief executive John Williams confirmed that a formal offer has been lodged with the French First Division side and he will hold further talks with Perez next week.

The right-sided defender has already visited Ewood Park and the club's Brockhall training complex and is known to have been impressed by the facilities.

And a second meeting with the player could tip the balance Blackburn's way and persuade Perez to take on the challenge of Premiership football rather than stay in France with Marseille, who have also expressed an interest.

Having already signed Kevin Davies from Southampton for £7.25 million and Gillingham's Jim Corbett for an up-front figure of £500,000, the £2.5 million for Perez would take Rovers' close season spending spree into eight figures - confirming their ambitions at home and abroard for next season.

Blackburn have also completed the free transfer of Newcastle defender Darren Peacock on a three-year deal to leave Williams confessing: "We have been very pleased. We set our stall out and we are very pleased so far."

The chief executive added: "I think once you get two or three done and dusted the pressure's off and you can look at it in a slightly different light because you are in a position to move as and when you feel it's to your advantage." And Rovers are likely to move again before the 1998/99 campaign kicks-off in Europe with a midfielder a likely target.

Hodgson has acted to significantly strengthen his striking and defensive departments but having missed out on Bolton's Alan Thompson may feel he still needs reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Williams added: "We are very pleased with how it's gone so far but when the World Cup is over and the squad reports back to training Roy will have a good look at what he's got and it would not surprise me if he carried on with some activity with some in and some out."

So far there have been no notable departures from Ewood, although winger Stuart Ripley looks set to move on.

Southampton have had a bid accepted and when manager David Jones returns from holiday he will look to open talks with the 30-year-old.

Meanwhile, Rovers skipper Colin Hendry was one of Scotland's two players to be selected for a random dope test after their opening World Cup encounter with Brazil.

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