DANIEL Williams will step up his bid to buy Blackburn Rovers later this week.

The Lancashire Telegraph has learnt that the American-based businessman, who is a boyhood Rovers fan, intends to hold further talks with the club's corporate advisers in the next few days, with the aim being to set the wheels in motion for a possible takeover.

But, as we reported last week, it remains to be seen whether a deal can be pushed through before the transfer window slams shuts at the end of next month.

It is believed Williams and his American-based backers feel they are only one round of talks away from deciding whether or not to press ahead with a formal offer to buy out the Walker Trustees.

Discussions have been going on between the two parties since March, but there was a recent hold-up in the negotiations due to personal and business reasons, which delayed the process by several weeks.

However, things now appear to be back on track again, and if talks go well this week then the parties may agree to enter into a period of formal due diligence, which effectively means opening the books.

A source close to the Williams camp told the Telegraph: "They are still very much in the mix for buying the Rovers. Other pressing matters, both personal and business, have held things up, but they intend to re-connect with the club this week and hope to move talks forwards.

"They probably need one last round of talks with the club and then a decision can be made."

Williams was also linked with a bid for control at Southampton last week, but that has since been dismissed as rubbish by a well-placed source.

"They are only interested in Blackburn. Anything else you see about any other club is fan-created claptrap."

Meanwhile, Rovers boss Mark Hughes is continuing to pursue a number of striker targets, including Everton's James Beattie and Bayern Munich hitman Roque Santa Cruz.

Rovers reserves are in action against Bamber Bridge at their Irongate ground tonight (kick off 7.30pm).