ROVERS boss Graeme Souness is ready to step up his bid to land Italian goal-ace Corrado Grabbi.

As exclusively revealed in Friday night's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Ewood chief Souness has made the 25-year-old striker his top summer target after being hugely impressed by the player following a recent scouting trip to Italy.

But he faces a fight to bring him to Ewood with Serie A side Udinese now thought to be the favourites in the battle for his signature.

According to reports in Italy, Grabbi's club side Ternana are thought to favour a swap deal for the former Juventus frontman.

And Ternana sports director Paolo Borea has reiterated the Serie B side are looking to off-load Grabbi to Udinese in exchange for Italian Under 21 international Massimo Margiotta.

Souness, however, won't give up the chase without a fight.

And, though he has yet to lodge an official bid, he remains confident he can lure the player to Ewood in deal likely to cost Rovers in excess of £4 million.

"I've been to see him a few times and I like what I've seen," said Souness.

"We've not made an offer for him at this stage but I'm currently talking to someone over there about the situation in regard to the other clubs who are said to be interested.

"So, hopefully, we can come to a deal.

"We have a valuation of him, his club have a valuation and, at the moment, we are a wee bit apart.

"But I'm hopeful something can be sorted out."

Grabbi was first recommended to Souness by a contact he made in Italy during his time with Torino.

But, both he and chief scout Alan Murray have watched the player in person on several occasions.

And the Rovers chief is convinced he could be a big hit in the Premiership.

"He's a good player," said Souness.

"He's scored 20 goals in Serie B this season which isn't an easy league to score goals in.

"But, apart from his goals, he's very much a footballer as well and not unlike Matt Jansen.

"He's perhaps more of a team player than Matt but Matt will develop that aspect of his game in time."