Blackburn Rovers have lodged an official bid – believed to be in the region of £5m – for Birmingham City centre-back Scott Dann.

Manager Steve Kean faces a race against time to strengthen his squad before 11pm tonight with Ajax’s Moroccan frontman Mounir El Hamdaoui and Rangers midfielder Steven Davis also believed to be on his radar.

Rovers need a huge lift following their disappointing start to the Premier League campaign.

It is understood that the offer for Dann has not yet been accepted by the Blues as they value the 24-year-old nearer to the £7m mark.

QPR are also interested in the highly-rated Liverpudlian, who was previously linked with Arsenal and Liverpool after an excellent 2010/11 season at St Andrew’s despite the club’s eventual relegation to the Championship.

It would represent a major coup for Kean if he captured the former England Under 21 international after seeing a move for Dallas defender George John break down.

Elsewhere, Steve Kean may turn his attention to Ajax’s Morrocan frontman Mounir El Hamdaoui after Vedad Ibisevic’s proposed move from Hoffenheim broke down yesterday.

A fee had been agreed and talks were held between the two clubs, but the Bosnian striker could not obtain a visa to play in the UK.

Rovers have also been linked with Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis.

Read Kevin Gallacher's column only in today's Lancashire Telegraph newspaper.