Graeme Souness is bracing himself for a bid from Liverpool for his winger Damien Duff, but the Blackburn Rovers board will consider only an offer in excess of £20 million if they are to lose their Republic of Ireland international to Anfield, writes Dominic Fifield

The Rovers manager has himself agreed a new four-year contract to remain at Ewood Park and, having left Lancashire yesterday for a pre-season tour of Austria and Germany with a first-team squad that includes Duff, will now attempt to persuade the 23-year-old to commit his long-term future to the club.

As yet, contract talks have failed with two years remaining on Duff's current deal.

"I think people are putting two and two together and making five because Liverpool have pulled out of the Lee Bowyer deal, but unless we get a ridiculous offer Damien will be playing for us next year and the year after," said Souness.

"We don't want to sell Damien, though we have had two offers (Liverpool asked about the player's availability a fortnight ago), but I would not blame clubs for making bids. He is a very good player, but it would take £20 million-plus before we would sell.

"If Rio Ferdinand is worth that money (£30 million) then it must be the same for Duff - traditionally strikers who make and take goals bring in more money, so maybe Damien's worth more."

Should Duff fall to a new Liverpool bid, Souness will turn his attentions to the left-sided player's Ireland team-mate, Robbie Keane, to strengthen his attack.

The Leeds forward rejected a £9 million move to Sunderland last month but is one of six first-team strikers at Elland Road, and the new manager Terry Venables is keen to move at least one on.