BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is philosophical over top-scorer Rudy Gestede’s decision to go public with his desire to make a move to the Premier League.

The 21-goal striker gave an interview to a national newspaper on Saturday in which he declared his ‘hope’ to be playing in the top-flight next season.

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Bowyer admits he would have preferred Gestede, who saw a £3.5m switch to Crystal Palace blocked by Rovers owners Venky’s in January, to keep his thoughts private.

But he refused to criticise the 26-year-old’s ambition to make the best out of a career that has taken off since arriving at Ewood Park.

Bowyer said: “I fully understand his ambition and every player wants to strive or should want to strive to be the best they can be.

“And Rudy Gestede and the rest of those players in that dressing room are no different.

“The valuation of the owners has to be met but for him to want to be the best he can be, and play at the highest level he can, who is going to deny him that or knock that?

“I’m not going to deny him that as long as the valuation is met and he knows that.

“But it has to meet the owners’ valuation and they’ve proved before that if it isn’t met, he doesn’t go, and if he doesn’t go, he plays like he has done since January.”

Asked whether he would have liked Gestede to have kept quiet, Bowyer said: “Of course, yes, we understand that, but he’s a decent bloke, he’s not done it maliciously or anything like that, and like you say, all he’s doing is probably telling the truth.”

Gestede has scored 33 goals in 62 appearances for Rovers since making a permanent £200,000 move from Cardiff City in January 2014.

His fantastic form has led him to being linked with a string of Premier League outfits. Palace, however, remain the only club to make a formal bid.

“When you see your name is linked with these kind of clubs then you’re happy with the work you’ve been doing , it’s flattering,” Gestede told The Sun.

“I hope to be in the Premier League next season. That’s my ambition.

“It’s all speculation at the minute but if I get the chance to find a club then I would love the challenge and take it if Blackburn want to sell me.

“I’m ready for the Premier League. I’ve been playing regularly for 18 months now. I just need the chance.”

Rovers are currently under an embargo for failing Financial Fair Play.

But, while selling leading marksmen Gestede and Jordan Rhodes could see the embargo lifted, Bowyer said: “If we lose either of the two strikers I’ve got to find another 20 goals within a transfer embargo and that might prove to be a little bit challenging.

“But you can’t have any negatives thoughts toward someone who is ambitious.

“You want to have that type of person rather than someone who’s just happy to turn up to work and if he gets better, he gets better, and if he doesn’t, he doesn’t.”