BLACKBURN Rovers are considering pulling out of a deal to sign striker Shabani Nonda.

Telegraph Sport understands that manager Mark Hughes has gone cool on the DR Congo international, and Rovers are now debating whether or not to push through a permanent move for the 30-year-old, who scored seven goals in 29 Premiership appearances for the club during a loan spell last season.

It is thought Hughes is reluctant to spend £2 million of his transfer budget on a player who failed to set the Premiership alight during his first year in English football.

The former French golden boot winner, who once cost Monaco £13 million, is also thought to be keen on a return to Italian side AS Roma after struggling to fully settle in England.

Several other clubs, including two from France, are also interested in signing the African, and Rangers made a recent enquiry about his availability but were put off by his wage demands.

The situation is further complicated by a dispute over which agent is supposed to be representing the player.

An agent named John Dario, who handled Nonda's move from Rennes to Monaco, recently claimed to be acting on the player's behalf, but another agent called Dan Fletcher believes the striker is one of his clients.

A Rovers source said: "Mark still has an interest in Nonda but the fact he still hasn't pushed through a deal suggests he has other targets in mind."