MARTIN Edwards today denied that Blackburn Rovers had made a £6 million bid for Manchester United striker Andy Cole.

Rovers, whose search for attacking re-inforcements has spread the length and breadth of Europe, were reported to have made the offer in a Sunday newspaper.

And there is no doubt that new manager Roy Hodgson has that sort of cash to invest.

But Old Trafford chairman Edwards said today: "I am not aware of any bid from Blackburn for Andy Cole."

The former Newcastle striker was very impressive when the two clubs met at Ewood towards the end of last season.

In fact, he was as good as anyone in the United team that day, causing all sorts of problems for the Rovers defence and scoring one of their three goals as well as having a hand in the others.

Rovers have been looking particularly for players with pace and Cole fits that bill.

It is certainly not inconceivable that they would look to him as a possible target, for there seems to be a drought of available attacking talent at the moment - especially in this country. But that is also likely to be the stumbling block if they do decide to make Cole a target, availability. Alex Ferguson is away at the moment but a source close to United said today: "I can't see any way that they will want to sell Cole.

"They have already lost Eric Cantona and there is still a possibility that Jordi Cruyff and Karel Poborsky could be moving on before the new season starts."

"In view of those circumstances it is extremely unlikely that Fergie will want to lose any more players.

"He has been trying to sign players himself but so far without success."

There is, of course, another angle to any possible interest from Ewood in Cole - would United do business with Rovers?

Relations are certainly cordial enough behind the scenes between the two clubs but, having twice missed out on Alan Shearer, when he moved from Southampton and again when he left Ewood, they were not best pleased with Rovers at the time.

Around this time last year, they also instantly rebuffed a multi-million bid for Eric Cantona from Rovers.

A call from Ewood to Old Trafford about Cole cannot be dismissed totally out of hand, there must be a possibility of a move for any top striker if there is a suggestion that he might be available.

But, at the moment, it certainly doesn't look a good bet.

As well as trying to bring in more players, the club must also be looking to off-load some of their playing staff to trim the wages bill.

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