SWEDEN star Anders Andersson is the latest target for Blackburn Rovers manager Roy Hodgson.

The Malmo playmaker and regular Swedish international has less than a year to run on his contract.

And he has indicated that he would love to play in the Premiership.

It was also reported from Scotland today that champions Glasgow Rangers are keeping a close eye on any developments.

A Malmo insider said: "He will move at the end of the Swedish season this summer.

"Roy Hodgson knows all about Anders from his time with Malmo.

"He is Malmo's most important player - a very clever player - and the club would be looking for as much money as possible from his sale."

However, because of the Bosman ruling, Andersson may become available in a cut price deal.

Malmo have the option of accepting an immediate but reduced fee of around £500,000 or waiting until the player's contract expired when he would be available for nothing. The player's agent, Roger Young, has confirmed that Rovers have been tracking Andersson for up to a month.

And that could mean another player on everyone's lips, the Inter playmaker Ciri Sforza, is fading from Hodgson's immediate attention.

Hodgson has had plenty of opportunity to persuade the Swiss international to join him at Ewood Park.

But Inter are understood to be keen to keep hold of one of their key players and are unlikely to offload until suitable replacements are in position.

Meanwhile, Rovers are still being linked to French defender Patrick Valery.

One national newspaper today reported that Valery will sign later this week in a £1.5 million deal with Monaco and Leeds United also on his trail.

But sources at Ewood Park say that nothing is imminent and the reports are wide of the mark.

Rovers, though, are still confident of completing the £3 million pound deal to bring Swiss international Stephane Henchoz to Ewood Park later this month, despite reports from Germany that the deal is under threat due to an ankle injury.

Blackburn have applied for a work permit and expect the red tape to be completed in time for Henchoz to start pre-season training at Brockhall.

Rovers chairman Rob Coar today dismissed a reported £750,000 link with Luton striker Tony Thorpe.

The chairman said: "There is nothing in it whatsoever."

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