BLACKBURN Rovers are considering a move for Nedum Onuoha after contacting Manchester City to express their interest in the defender.

Rovers are looking to bolster their defence this summer and it is understood they have enquired about the availability of Onuoha, who can play at centre back, right back and even in midfield.

Blackburn are yet to make a bid but Onuoha spent last season on loan at Sunderland and Manchester City are thought to be prepared to let him go at the right price, likely to be between £3m and £4m.

The former England under 21 international graduated from City’s youth team but would be expected to be second choice should he remain at Eastlands next season following a number of defensive additions in the last couple of years.

Onuoha, now 24, is said to be keen to play first-team football and had previously been mooted as a makeweight in City’s possible move for Bolton defender Gary Cahill, along with Dedryck Boyata.

City’s interest in Cahill may now have cooled, though, and that could open the way for Rovers, who have been linked with a number of defenders in recent weeks.

Among those linked was Lokomotiv Moscow full back Roman Shishkin, although the full back’s agent yesterday told the Lancashire Telegraph that he had not had any contact with Rovers and was unaware of any interest at this stage.

Freiburg striker Papiss Cisse is understood to be on Rovers’ radar, with the 26-year-old not thought to be keen on a move to Dynamo Kiev despite a bid from the Ukrainians.

One forward who has made it clear he is not impressed by links to Rovers, though, is Emmanuel Adebayor.

The City forward wants to return to Real Madrid and has also rejected interest from Zenit.

“I can only go where we play to win a trophy or win the championship, and not to play mid-table,” he said.

“It is clear that I will not (win trophies) at Zenit or Blackburn.”