Blackburn Rovers eye QPR striker (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn Rovers eye QPR striker
9:55am Wednesday 18th July 2012 in Sport
By Andy Cryer
, Blackburn Rovers reporter
BLACKBURN Rovers are keeping a watching brief on QPR striker Jamie Mackie and are prepared to offer him a lucrative package to drop out of the Premier League.
Rovers boss Steve Kean believes the 26-year-old would be a valuable addition as the Ewood Park outfit bid to return to the top flight at the first attempt and he would get the financial backing to attempt to land him – if Rangers decide to make him available.
Rovers sources though have denied reports the club has already submitted a bid for him, with a £3.5million valuation touted, and admit they don’t expect the former Plymouth man to be for sale.
Unofficial enquiries are understood to have been made and dialogue is likely to continue between clubs as Rovers monitor his situation closely.
Mackie is currently on QPR’s pre-season tour of Asia, featuring in their opening game yesterday, and is understood to be wanting to be a part of Mark Hughes’ Premier League plans next campaign.
Fierce competition for places for the striking berths at Loftus Road has left Mackie concerned about his QPR future and is likely to want a move away if he isn’t going to get regular first team football.
Rovers are not the only team interested in the striker but, despite interest from Premier League clubs, are understood to be ready to offer him better terms than elsewhere.
It is even believed that Mackie would be offered almost double, after bonuses, what he is currently on at Loftus Road leaving the player seriously tempted by a move to East Lancashire.
Junior Hoilett’s decision on his own future could help Rovers’ cause in the next few days – but only if he opts to move to QPR, over Newcastle United and German club Borussia Monchengladbach.
Hoilett’s Rovers contract has already expired but the club would be entitled to a compensation figure in the region of £4million if he opted to stay in England.
Rovers and QPR could look to come to an agreement with both players likely to cost a similar fee, although Hoilett would first have to agree to a Loftus Road move and Mackie would have to agree to switching to Rovers.
Mackie signed a one-year extension at QPR in May, contracting him to the club to 2015, after playing a key role in their dramatic Premier League survival.
Meanwhile Rovers are still waiting to hear whether Sporting Lisbon are prepared to sell Portuguese midfielder Adrien Silva, after weeks of talks.
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