Blackburn bid for Ferguson

Barry Ferguson wants to leave Ibrox

Blackburn Rovers have made an undisclosed offer for Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson.

Earlier on Friday, Rangers manager Alex McLeish confirmed his 25-year-old captain wanted to leave Ibrox as soon as possible.

Blackburn chief executive John Williams confirmed that Rovers have now followed up their interest in the Scotland international.

"I can confirm that we have now made a formal offer to Rangers," Williams told Rovers' official website.

Ferguson, who skippered the Light Blues to a domestic treble last season, informed Rangers he wanted to move to England at a meeting with McLeish and chairman John McClelland on Thursday.

"I don't want him to leave but Barry wants to try a stronger league and play his football elsewhere," McLeish said on Friday.

I have known Barry since he was 12 and I think he would be a very good player in the Premiership Graeme Souness Blackburn manager

"It is not about money, he has emphasised that and we have accepted that explanation because he has got a very good contract at Rangers."

Ferguson signed a new five-year deal at Ibrox only a few months ago, but has clearly had a change of heart.

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness was due to hold further talks with Rangers' honorary chairman David Murray, with whom he forged a close relationship during his own time at Ibrox.

"He is someone I have admired for a long time," Souness said of Ferguson. "I have known him since he was 12 years old and I think he would be a very good player in the Premiership.

"I know the player fancies coming to England and I would love to think we could afford him after the players we have sold but we will see. I have got to persuade the board to spend the money."

Blackburn banked £22.5m this summer from the sales of Damien Duff and David Dunn and have only spent a fraction of that so far.

Unique situation

But Souness insists no Rovers player - Andy Cole has been mentioned in some reports - will move to Glasgow in a cash-plus-player deal.

"That has never been mentioned," he added. "I think it's going to be a cash thing.

"We are in quite a unique situation in that we have sold players for big money and still have quite a lean squad. It's quite healthy in that respect."

Rangers go to Copenhagen for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday - which could prove Ferguson's last match for the club with the transfer window closing on the following Sunday at midnight.

There has been much speculation that debt-ridden Rangers would sell Ferguson to recoup some of the estimated £10m that could be lost if they fail to make the group stage of the competition.

But McLeish insisted Rangers' European fate had nothing to do with the request. "I don't think it has got a bearing," he added.

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