BLACKBURN Rovers have enlisted the services of a corporate adviser in their quest to attract new investment in the club.

In an exclusive interview with the Lancashire Telegraph, chairman John Williams recently revealed that the club had received a number of expressions of interest', both from Britain and abroad, from prospective new owners.

Preliminary meetings have already taken place with several interested parties, and now the club have taken the step of engaging independent specialists who will advise the trustees on the next step forward.

Although a deal to sell the club to a new investor is not thought to be imminent, the fact Rovers have started the process of assessing the different options open to them could clear the way for a possible takeover bid this summer.

Williams recently told the Telegraph: "I don't want to set any hares running but, clearly, we are alive to the situation.

"Premier League football clubs are rare - there are only 20 of them - and only a limited number are available.

"Blackburn Rovers would be available if the right quality of owner, in terms of financial clout and plans for the club, were to step forward.

"We have had a number of expressions of interest, both from home and abroad, and there have been preliminary meetings.

"But, ultimately, that decision will come down to the trustees, who are the shareholders."

With the new TV deal about to kick in this summer, Rovers have never been in a stronger position to attract outside investment because the new deal will effectively enable them to become financially self-sufficient.

However, if the club wants to move to the next level, which means regularly finishing in the top six in the Premiership, and maybe even challenging the top four, it's imperative they attract new investment as that would enable manager Mark Hughes to be more competitive in the transfer market.

"Because of the new television deal, we now have a stable business going forward so I don't think there's any pressure on the existing owners to sell the club," said Williams.

"But the only thing constant is change so you've got to keep moving and try and move to the next level if you can.

"The problem is the next level for us is regularly finishing in the top six, and ultimately the top four, so we are looking for the next Roman Abramovich, which is a very difficult task."

With the Premier League now considered to be the most financially successful league in the world, there's no shortage of parties willing to invest millions in its member clubs.

Three of the big four - Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool - have already been taken over by foreign investors, and the fourth, Arsenal, are currently at the centre of a power struggle involving the American billionaire, Stan Kroenke.

On top of that, West Ham United, Portsmouth and Aston Villa also have foreign owners, while Manchester City are believed to be in talks with San Francisco-based investment banker Jerome Simon about a possible takeover.

When asked recently if Rovers would welcome foreign investment, Williams said: "I don't think nationality itself is an issue.

"I think it's more about the quality of the purchaser, and the direction in which they wish to take the club."