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| | Sunday, 21 July, 2002, 09:25 GMT 10:25 UK Blackburn open door for Duff  Duff is not on Blackburn's pre-season tour Blackburn Rovers have told Liverpool to make them an offer they cannot refuse if they want to land Damien Duff. The Ewood Park club revealed they have rebuffed an initial approach by the Reds for their Republic of Ireland winger. But they also admitted that Gerard Houllier can get his man if he puts in a bid that is too good to turn down. Duff has not travelled with Rovers on their pre-season tour to Austria. And his absence has deepened speculation that the 23-year-old is heading for an Ewood Park exit. Blackburn boss Graeme Souness said: "We have had a telephone call from Liverpool asking if Damien was available.
"The answer was 'no'. "But if the price was right we would not be in a position to turn a ridiculous offer down." Contract talks between Duff and the club have so far been unproductive. And it has been reported that the board are prepared to offload the �20m-rated star if he does not agree a new deal within a fortnight. Duff has two years left on his present contract.
Liverpool are the only club to have made a firm inquiry for Duff but Manchester United are likely to rival them for his signature. Sir Alex Ferguson could try to tempt Blackburn with an offer of Dwight Yorke plus cash. Rovers have been keen to reunite the out-of-favour Old Trafford striker with his former team-mate Andy Cole. But negotiations have ground to a halt because United refuse to lower their �6m valuation of the 30-year-old. | |
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