BLACKBURN Rovers are interested in signing Republic of Ireland international defender Richard Dunne – as Luke Murphy weighs up whether to join Leeds or move to Ewood Park.

Rovers are continuing attempts to strengthen in defence and midfield, but Leeds have made a late bid to hijack their £1m move for Crewe midfielder Murphy.

Rovers had an offer accepted on Friday but Leeds have now made a bid and may offer the 23-year-old a higher salary to lure him to Elland Road.

Their move comes despite boss Brian McDermott saying that Leeds did not have much money to spend this summer.

Crewe were taking their time over an official response to Leeds’ offer but are expected to allow the player to choose his destination and then hold talks over a deal.

Murphy has previously indicated that he was happy to move to Ewood, after Wolves had also had a bid accepted.

The Alex skipper has been informed of the salary on offer from Rovers but spent the weekend waiting to see if furtherclubs would bid. Murphy is also thought to have been waiting for potential interest from Aston Villa, but the Premier League side had not come in with an offer.

The central midfielder has scored 25 goals in 186 appearances for Crewe – helping them to promotion from League Two and then victory in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final.

Rovers are also looking to add a centre back to their squad, with Dunne understood to be in their sights.

The Irish international is a free agent after being released by Aston Villa this summer and the 33-year-old has been attracting interest from Derby, QPR and Celtic.

Rovers have now joined the chase and, although the former Manchester City man would have to reduce his wage demands to secure an Ewood move, Rovers are keen for a deal to be struck.

Scott Dann and Grant Hanley proved a successful central defensive partnership last season, with boss Gary Bowyer hailing them as the best pairing in the division.

Rovers still intend to keep both players but want to bring in another central defender to provide extra competition, with Frenchman Gael Givet’s future still uncertain.

Frederic Veseli remains a target, while Ian Evatt is under consideration.

Rovers remain determined to hang on to Jordan Rhodes, after reports linked Bolton with an interest, although the Trotters dismissed suggestions that they were preparing to bid £9m for the forward.

Meanwhile, Todd Kane and Morten Gamst Pedersen are due to link up with Rovers for pre-season training this week.

Pedersen was back in England yesterday after spending last week training with Valerenga and Rosenborg.

The midfielder often trains with clubs in Norway during the summer to keep fit and is returning to stake his claim for a place at Rovers in the final year of his contract at Ewood.

Rovers are looking to reduce their wage bill this summer and have been attempting to move on the likes of Mauro Formica and Danny Murphy. Nuno Gomes agreed a deal to terminate his contract on Friday.