LIVERPOOL have made a £10m bid for Damien Duff, the ECHO can reveal today.
The Reds followed up their long-standing interest in the Republic of Ireland winger with a formal approach to Blackburn Rovers.
However, Graeme Souness is determined to resist the Reds' attempts to prise away the star.
The Rovers' boss is desperate to hold on to Duff, who he values at a staggering £20m.
Blackburn's board are believed to be ready to accept £15m, but that's still beyond Liverpool ' s valuation. Their opening gambit of £10m is unlikely to be accepted, but negotiations will continue.
The Reds won't be held to ransom, especially since Duff's contract runs out in two years' time.
Duff is thought to be extremely keen to move to Anfield and has been stalling on a new deal at Ewood Park. He is still in contract negotiations but now faces the decision of whether to commit his future to Blackburn, despite the Reds ' interest.
There is also a feeling Souness, a former Anfield favourite, is particularly determined to ensure if Duff does leave, he doesn ' t go to Liverpool.
The ex-manager is still unhappy with the manner in which he left the club in 1994.
But Liverpool's bid is a clear show of intent by manager Gerard Houllier he is determined to improve the side further for the renewed title and European charge.
Houllier wants to add a new dimension to the attacking side of his team and sees Duff as an ideal solution.
The Reds boss was making no comment about the ongoing situation today.
But Liverpool have increased their transfer kitty by selling Nick Barmby and Stephen Wright over the last two weeks, which could ultimately be worth £6.75m.
The Reds followed up their long-standing interest in the Republic of Ireland winger with a formal approach to Blackburn Rovers.
However, Graeme Souness is determined to resist the Reds' attempts to prise away the star.
The Rovers' boss is desperate to hold on to Duff, who he values at a staggering £20m.
Blackburn's board are believed to be ready to accept £15m, but that's still beyond Liverpool ' s valuation. Their opening gambit of £10m is unlikely to be accepted, but negotiations will continue.
The Reds won't be held to ransom, especially since Duff's contract runs out in two years' time.
Duff is thought to be extremely keen to move to Anfield and has been stalling on a new deal at Ewood Park. He is still in contract negotiations but now faces the decision of whether to commit his future to Blackburn, despite the Reds ' interest.
There is also a feeling Souness, a former Anfield favourite, is particularly determined to ensure if Duff does leave, he doesn ' t go to Liverpool.
The ex-manager is still unhappy with the manner in which he left the club in 1994.
But Liverpool's bid is a clear show of intent by manager Gerard Houllier he is determined to improve the side further for the renewed title and European charge.
Houllier wants to add a new dimension to the attacking side of his team and sees Duff as an ideal solution.
The Reds boss was making no comment about the ongoing situation today.
But Liverpool have increased their transfer kitty by selling Nick Barmby and Stephen Wright over the last two weeks, which could ultimately be worth £6.75m.
