Rangers unlikely to give up on Ferguson
Blackburn today rejected the first approach from Rangers for Barry Ferguson - but the Glasgow giants are unlikely to take no for an answer.
Scotland captain Ferguson joined Blackburn 17 months ago for £6.5m (€9.3m) from Rangers, and speculation has long been rife the Ibrox club have been preparing to lure him back.
Rovers chief executive John Williams even met with Ferguson and his agent, John Viola, yesterday to discuss the situation regarding the 27-year-old, who has been rumoured to be suffering from home sickness.
Rangers’ offer is understood to fall short of Blackburn’s £5m (€7.1m) valuation, with Williams insisting the player is going nowhere.
Williams said: “I can acknowledge we have received an offer from Rangers, but we have informed Rangers that Barry is not for sale.”
Williams said the club do not want Ferguson to leave Ewood Park, adding: “If you are asking if Blackburn want Barry to stay then, yes, I should think we do.”
But Blackburn and Williams are up against Viola, with Rangers today making it clear their bid for Ferguson was based on information received from the agent.
Martin Bain, director of football business at Ibrox, said: “We were made aware by the player’s agent that Barry Ferguson may wish to leave Blackburn Rovers.
“As a result, today we made an offer. However, this was rejected and we have been informed the player is not for sale.”
That is unlikely to deter Rangers, with Viola indicating the matter is far from closed as he said: “I don’t know what will happen. It is up in the air, so we will have to wait and see.”
Striker Jonathan Stead is another Blackburn player being linked with a move away from Ewood Park, with Coca-Cola Championship sides Sunderland and Sheffield United understood to be interested.
Stead, who made a significant impact following his move from Huddersfield nearly a year ago by scoring six goals in 13 appearances to help keep the club in the top flight last season, has failed to find the net in 20 matches this campaign.
But agent John Seasman maintains Stead is happy at Blackburn and has no intention of moving as he said: “It comes as no surprise Mick McCarthy likes him as he tried to sign him before he went to Blackburn
“There has been no approach made, but you never know in football.
“I am sure Blackburn want to keep Jon as he has been playing recently. He is happy there and he has a chance to impress by playing games.
“Blackburn feel he is still developing and I know Mark Hughes likes him a lot.”
