MARKUS Olsson hopes that Blackburn Rovers can keep their best players at Ewood Park this summer – as Bournemouth are strongly linked with a move for Josh King.

King is out of contract this summer and is understood to have been offered a new three-year contract by Rovers.

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But the former Manchester United youngster said last week that he wanted to take his time before deciding whether to remain at Ewood Park, as he waits to assess what other offers come his way.

Gary Bowyer was always realistic that Rovers would face competition for King’s signature and the pace ace is now reported to be attracting interest from Bournemouth.

Eddie Howe’s Premier League new boys are understood to have previously made attempts to sign King in January, even before his FA Cup hat-trick against top flight Stoke City.

Bournemouth are now able to tempt the star with the opportunity to play top flight football.

King did not make a Premier League appearance for Manchester United before dropping down into the Football League.

Under the terms of the Bosman ruling, Rovers would be entitled to a fee for King – potentially set by tribunal - as long as the contract offered to the 23-year-old to remain at Ewood is not on lesser terms than the deal he was previously on.

The pacy forward is keen to play regular football next season, but says that Bowyer has assured him that he will play more often in his preferred role up front if he stays at Rovers.

Team-mate Olsson hopes that Rovers are able to keep their stars at the club and push for promotion next term, after finishing ninth during the 2014/15 campaign.

The likes of Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes are also expected to attract interest this summer.

“It’s something for the manager to focus on who he wants to keep at the club,” Olsson said.

“He knows who’s important to the team and the squad, but if we can have about the same that we have and a few new players as well, then you never know what could happen.”