NORWEGIAN outfit Viking Stavanger are planning a summer raid for Ewood exile Egil Ostenstad.

I can reveal that officials from the Scandinavian club have already sounded out the 30-year-old striker about a possible move back to his homeland.

And Ostenstad has indicated he could be interested in the offer even if it means taking a sizeable pay-cut when compared with his current deal at Ewood.

"I have been in touch with them and I know they want me but I think it's going to be difficult because it's a different world over there when it comes to football," said Ostenstad.

"Having said that, it would be something that would interest me given my situation here.

"So if there was a chance of something happening then I would definitely listen to what they have to say.

"The way things are at the moment, it's going to be difficult to find another club in England especially given all the problems over TV money in the First Division.

"But if I was to move back to Norway then I'd definitely have to take a wage cut because it's a completely different world.

"So we'll have to wait and see if something can be worked out but it is something that may appeal."

Ostenstad made a big impact at the Norwegian club when he launched his professional career there in the early 90s, scoring 54 goals in 128 appearances.

And it was that kind of form which first brought him to the attention of Graeme Souness who paid £800,000 to take him to Southampton in 1996.

However, though the pair enjoyed a successful working relationship together on the south coast, things haven't worked out quite as profitably at Rovers where Ostenstad has been limited to just a handful of first team appearances under Souness over the last two years.

Now a clean break would appear to be in the interests of both parties as the former Saints star still has two years left to run on a lucrative contract at Ewood.

But Viking director Bjarne Berntsen insists they are only interested in taking Ostenstad if Rovers are prepared to let him go for free -- an issue which has still to be discussed at boardroom level.