BOLTON Wanderers stunned the world of football earlier this week when news of their ambitious plan to sign Rivaldo hit the headlines.

The former Barcelona and AC Milan star is reportedly close to signing a two-year contract with Wanderers.

And if Reebok chief Sam Allardyce ultimately succeeds in getting his man then it's likely to go down as one of the greatest transfer coups in the history of the Premiership.

The 32-year-old Brazilian is one of the most famous names in world football and his samba skills have already set Bolton buzzing with frenzied anticipation.

When a signing of that magnitude is virtually in the bag, you'd expect 'big Sam' to be the envy of many of his Premiership rivals.

But don't expect to hear of Graeme Souness losing any sleep if the former World Cup winner ends up moving to the Reebok because the Rovers boss has his own summer transfer targets and Rivaldo was never among them.

"We've been planning for next season for the last six months and you never stop planning in this business," said Souness.

"We've been out looking at players who we think might be available and we've been looking at areas where we think we can strengthen.

"So it's an on-going thing. It doesn't just happen when you get into the last half dozen games of the season.

"It never stops. It starts the minute any football match is being played in the world because you're sending people to look at players all the time."

When asked if the current league position makes it difficult for Rovers to target players of Rivaldo's calibre, Souness added: "I'm not sure that's a signing I'd have wanted to make anyway but that's Bolton's business and my business is my business.

"We'll go about our business in the way we think is best for this football club.

"I'm not too bothered what other clubs are doing.

"This game is hard enough before you start worrying about other people."

Although Souness is likely to keep his transfer plans close to his chest, at least until Rovers' fate is decided, it's thought he will target a left-sided midfielder and a central defender when the window re-opens.