But Chelsea’s new billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has also targeted Duff and has proved he has the necessary cash to take the Irish international to Stamford Bridge.

Rovers chief executive John Williams confirmed today: “We have received two offers from Chelsea but we have rejected these offers and there has been no further contact.”

Souness admitted he expected Duff’s future to come back into question this summer due to the transfer-triggering clause in his most recent contract, which he signed a year ago.

But Sourness said: “I don’t want to lose Damien – we always knew Damien was a very special player.

“We have no intention of selling him and we want to keep him here. But when Damien signed his new contract last summer he did so in the knowledge that someone could come in and offer a lot of money.

“We don’t want to lose Damien under any circumstances – but we are realists.”

Meanwhile Souness is hopeful of continuing his summer spending by securing the signing of full-back Vratislav Gresko imminently.

The Parma star is flying to Britain tonight for a medical with Rovers having already agreed a fee and personal terms. The only other issue to be resolved is a work permit, which the club expect to come through later in the month.