Souness said: “I remain on the hunt for a defender, a midfield player and a striker.

“I am talking to someone (a defender) at this point and have been for the last couple of days.

“It’s in the pipeline and I will be absolutely thrilled if we get him.”

Asked if he expected the situation to be resolved by tomorrow, Souness said: “No”.

Earlier this year Souness was rebuffed in his efforts to bring Turkey international Alpay into Ewood Park from Aston Villa.

Villa rejected their offer out of hand, saying Blackburn’s valuation was too low.

Souness made an inquiry for Rangers’ midfielder Barry Ferguson but Ibrox chairman David Murray refused to sanction the deal.

Souness said: “I’ve been a long-time admirer of Barry Ferguson and saw Rangers play Arsenal.

“At half-time I spoke to David Murray, the chairman, and asked if he would sell him. He said ’not at any price’.

“We go back a long way and I respect that.”