Blackburn are reportedly one of the clubs interested in signing Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy this summer. Sam Allardyce admitted he was a big fan of the Dutchman.

Van Nistelrooy will find his opportunities limited at Real Madrid next year after the stunning arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

A move to Blackburn could be an option.

''Who'd have thought Bolton would get Nicolas Anelka? Nobody did. But I went out and did it,'' Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce said. ''It would be nice to do it with a Van Nistelrooy.

''The sort of salary he would be on at Real Madrid may be beyond us. But maybe he wants to come and play in England again and take less of a salary - then we'd be interested.

''It would be a major coup if I could pull it off.''