BLACKBURN Rovers have made an official approach for Monaco defender Cedric Mongongu as they continue their efforts to build for an exciting Ewood Park future.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that Rovers have had dialogue with Mongongu’s French employers about bringing the 22-year-old to Ewood Park but plenty of work is still needed to be done before completing the switch.

While there is unlikely to be any problem in agreeing a price with Monaco, with the French club understood to be happy to sell for £2.5million, personal terms for the player are yet to be discussed.

Steve Kean would want to meet the player personally when he returns from Rovers’ pre-season training camp in Austria after the weekend, while West Brom are just one of several clubs also in the race for his signature.

Rovers are not expecting a deal to go through imminently with a lot of negotiations still to be had and nothing will be finalised at least until their return to England next week.

Mongongu, a DR Congo international, has been at Monaco since 2005 and has made more than 70 appearances for them in the heart of their defence.

He was on Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal shopping list back in 2009 and would fit in with the Venky’s vision of building a youthful side to assure an exciting future.

Owners Venky’s have already funded the signings of Mauro Formica, 23, for £3.5m, and Ruben Rochina, 20, for £500,000, in January with both players expected to play their part next season.

Mongongu has been made available after Monaco’s relegation to Ligue 2 and would strengthen Kean’s defensive options after Phil Jones’ big-money move to Manchester United earlier this summer.

“I am hearing so many reports and claims about me through the papers, but I am still a Monaco player,” said Mongongu earlier this week.

“I have a contract until 2013. I am only 22 years old and I have a long future ahead of me. Blackburn would be a good opportunity, but staying with a very good club in France can also be fantastic.

“Let’s wait and see what happens before August 31, when the speculation will stop.”

Meanwhile striker Benjani is expected to put pen to paper on a new one-year deal imminently, after being offered a lifeline by Kean this summer.

The former Zimbabwe international has not travelled with Rovers to Austria, with his contract expired, but is expected to rejoin his team-mates early next week once they return to England.