NEW Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has launched a fresh bid to land Rovers winger Damien Duff.

I can exclusively reveal that the big-spending Londoners have tabled TWO new offers for the Republic of Ireland star in the last 24 hours.

And Ewood chief executive John Williams was today set to put their latest proposals to the board and the club's major shareholders in Jersey as he desperately tries to hang onto the inspirational Irishman.

After two bids of £13m and £15m were rejected last week, Chelsea faxed a new, improved offer of £16m to Rovers yesterday.

Then last night the Blues made a fourth offer of £17m including add-ons by telephone, although it's still not quite enough to trigger the release clause in Duff's contract.

"Chelsea made a new offer last night," said Williams.

"It's a very substantial offer in the current climate but it still falls short of what we require.

"However, the whole issue is of great significance to the club and I am rightly and properly duty bound to discuss this with not only my colleagues on the board but the club's major shareholders in Jersey as well."

Rovers are currently trying to do everything in their power to keep hold of their most prized asset.

But the fact that the player has yet to publicly state his intention to stay at Ewood has left them with a difficult dilemma.

"Even if Chelsea did get to the figure negotiated in his contract then we would hope Damien would want to stay with us," added Williams.

"There's a massive financial upside to selling him which can never be underestimated in the post-Jack Walker era.

"But our football instinct currently prevails and we don't want him to go.

"We know Chelsea can entice Damien with the lure of Champions League football but we want him to stay here and try and achieve that with us."

Those thoughts were also echoed by manager Graeme Souness.

"It's a very simple situation," said the Rovers boss.

"Damien has a clause in his contract which triggers the possibility of him going if he wants to.

"But we are desperate to hold onto him. When I sat down with Brett Emerton and Lorenzo Amoruso I told them we were a club who are moving in the right direction and we play the game properly.

"Obviously, we also talked about the players we had at the club and both Brett and Lorenzo already knew all about the quality of Damien Duff so I don't want to lose him.

"Damien is a very special player and I can only repeat that we have no intention of selling Damien Duff.

"Our intention is to keep him and make sure he's here next season.

"You've got to remember he didn't play a great deal for us last year so I want Damien playing a full season like he did in the last seven or eight games of last season.

"If he does that and we all do our bit then we can have a good season next season."

Whether that happens or not could ultimately be down to the player, who holds the key to the whole transfer saga.

Meanwhile, Vratislav Gresko is on the verge of signing a three-year deal with Rovers after jetting into England last night.

The Slovakian international was due to undergo a medical assessment today on the foot injury he sustained against Leeds last season.

And providing the club's medical staff are satisfied that he's making good progress, Rovers will then begin the process of applying for a work permit, although it could take several weeks to arrange a hearing.