JUNIOR Hoilett has told Blackburn Rovers he can still see a future for himself at Ewood Park – providing the club look as though they are heading in the right direction.
Rovers’ contract rebel has been heavily linked with a move away from Ewood this month but sources close to the player have told the Lancashire Telegraph he would still love to remain at the club.
North west rivals Bolton Wanderers have voiced their interest in the winger over the past few days, although no firm bid has yet been submitted, but Hoilett is unlikely to view a move to the Reebok as a step forward.
Meetings have been held in recent weeks between club officials and Hoilett’s representatives in a bid to agree a new deal, with his current contract expiring in the summer, and it is understood that remains the Canadian’s priority.
Sources close to the player have categorically denied yesterday’s reports that the player has handed in a transfer request and insist he would commit long term to the club, as long as they can see signs of Rovers progressing under owners Venky’s.
Hoilett has been at Rovers since the age of 13 and, having come through the youth ranks to emerge as an established Premier League performer, wants to continue his development at Ewood Park.
Junior Hoilett
Rovers’ Premier League relegation fears are a concern though, along with the lack of transfer activity, and Hoilett could wait until the summer before making a decision on his future, to see if there are signs of Venky’s fulfilling their early ambitions.
Meanwhile Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp admits a bid for Chris Samba this month is “not impossible” – but the London giants are unexpected to be able to prise Rovers’ skipper away from Ewood Park.
The Spurs boss has angered Blackburn Rovers by suggesting he is ready to move for Samba this month, despite the club putting a ‘not for sale’ tag on him at the end of last week.
It is understood Tottenham are considering tempting Rovers into a sale with a cash plus player offer but club sources are not expecting anyone to be able to prise him away this month.
“I like Samba, he is a good player,” said Redknapp. “I wouldn’t want to say it’s an impossibility (a bid). At the moment he belongs to Blackburn but he’s a good player.”
Meanwhile Rovers’ efforts to add fresh faces to the squad this month are ongoing, although there remains a limited budget for Kean to work with.
The ongoing transfer situation with wantaway Blackburn defender Chris Samba has made it more likely that Junior Hoilett will stay at Ewood Park.
Tottenham are known to be keen on the young winger, whose Rovers contract expires in the summer, but agent David Hoilett Sr says it’s unlikely the relegation-threatened club would risk losing two stars in the same window.
“It may not be within [Blackburn's] best interests to off-load him considering what is going on with Samba at the moment,” said Hoilett Sr in an interview with the International Business Times.
“I can’t really see them letting both of them go at the same time and with Junior’s contract ending at the end of the year, the value they could get for Junior would be less than what they would get for Samba.
“Unless they have good replacements coming in, it would be pretty stupid to get rid of both of them, especially with their hopes of remaining in the league.
“The value they could get for both players is nothing compared to them staying in the league. I really don’t see them both going at the same time.”
“So at the present time I don’t really see them letting both of them go.”
Liverpool, Sunderland and Bolton are also thought to be interested in signing Junior Hoilett, but Hoilett Sr refused to be drawn on potential suitors.
“To be honest, I have not had any response from Blackburn regarding [potential offers]. I am not sure of the situation with other clubs.
“I have an idea which clubs [might be interested], but at the minute that is confidential.”
Blackburn boss Steve Kean’s bid for Fulham striker Andy Johnson is on hold – until he sells a player to raise funds.
Kean wants the experienced hitman on board for the relegation run-in, and his hopes lifted when rivals QPR sacked manager Neil Warnock, who also wanted Johnson.
However, the Scot has been told he cannot complete a £2million raid for Johnson before Rovers move on one of their players to balance the books.
Kean is working with limited funds and thinks a new striker is the first capture he needs to make in the painfully slow process.
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Rovers do not want to sell in-demand skipper Chris Samba, preferring to trade contract-rebel attacker Junior Hoilett, but so far only Bolton have shown a positive interest in him during the current transfer window.
Blackburn insiders have revealed that if Hoilett is sold, the incoming cash will go on Johnson.
In the meantime, the only other players Kean can chase are loanees.
The Scot is waiting on an answer from Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, who could come to Ewood Park on a ‘shop window’ loan.