BLACKBURN Rovers are lining up a sensational double swoop for two of the top strikers in Europe.

I can reveal that both Fiorentina's Argentinian superstar Gabriel Batistuta and Real Madrid's Croatian striker Davor Suker head new boss Roy Hodgson's hit list.

And Jack Walker would be prepared to splash out around £15 million to send the Ewood Premiership challenge back into overdrive.

Batistuta first became a Blackburn target during Ray Harford's time as manager.

But the £8m-rated striker was worshipped by passionate Fiorentina fans and Rovers were told he was not for sale.

The relationship between the player and his Italian fans has since soured and Batistuta is known to be keen on a move.

That would mean a massive outlay and Manchester United have already been discouraged by massive wage demands.

Rovers, though, may be ready to meet those demands in order to show supporters that the club retains the ambition needed to compete with the best in the Premiership. Serie A club Atalanta are also reported to be showing a keen interest in Batistuta.

The signing of Suker would be another major coup for Hodgson, currently enjoying a holiday before taking over on July 1.

The 29-year-old set Euro 96 alight with a spectacular lob against Denmark keeper Peter Schmeichel for Croatia.

But Suker - rated at £7m - has been in and out of the Spanish side's first team at Real Madrid and is becoming increasingly unsettled.

His personal terms would again be a hurdle.

Stephane Henchoz yesterday became Roy Hodgson's first signing.

Rovers secretary Tom Finn flew to Basel in Switzerland to clinch the deal with the Hamburg central defender and Swiss international.

The deal had hit snags as the player is recovering from surgery on both ankles, with Hamburg claiming Rovers wanted an initial loan arrangement.

But late interest from Manchester United prompted Rovers to move swiftly to secure the £3m signing.

Hamburg business manager Bernd Wehmeyer said: "Stephane will definitely be going to Blackburn. The deal has been agreed."

Chairman Rob Coar today said that he remained confident that twin targets Patrick Valery and Anders Andersson would also be at Ewood for the start of the season.

Rovers youngsters Damien Duff, Dave Worrell and Thomas Morgan all featured for the Republic of Ireland in their 2-1 defeat by Ghana in the World Youth Cup in Malaysia.

Marlon Broomes plays for England against the Ivory Coast tonight.

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