PER Pedersen is a target for French club Strasbourg, who are keen to sign the Blackburn Rovers striker before they start their new season.

Talks have already begun between the two clubs and Rovers are willing to sell the Danish international, who spent most of last season on loan to Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Negotiations with Strasbourg are about a permanent deal, though the potential transfer fee is not yet known. It would probably be significantly less than the £2. 5 million Rovers paid Odense for him 18 months ago.

Ewood chief executive John Williams today admitted the clubs were discussing a deal.

"Yes, a transfger is a possibility and negotiations are taking place," he said.

"From our point of view, he has been a good member of the squad but he has not figured too much and he is someone Roy is prepared to release.

"It's a deal we would quite like to do but there's still work to do."

Meanwhile, Mr Williams dampened speculation North of the border that Rovers were poised to make a £2.5 million swoop for Hearts' Scottish international central defender David Weir. A report in Scotland claimed Rovers watched him in Sunday's game against Rangers and intended to take another look this weekend when Hearts play Charlton in a testimonial game.

Any top-class central defender is bound to come under scrutiny as manager Roy Hodgson looks to replace Colin Hendry.

But Mr Williams said: "I am not aware of any discussions or interest in this player. There has been no mention of him."

Obviously, no-one can be ruled out as Rovers urgently need a defender but Hearts too said they knew nothing about it.

Weir is out of contract at the end of the season.

Kevin Gallacher is urging Dick Advocaat to make Colin Hendry the new Ibrox captain but the Rangers boss seems to have other ideas. Advocaat surprisingly insisted Italian defender Lorenzo Amoruso would retain the Rangers captaincy with Dutch full back Arthur Numan as his assistant despite praising Hendry's outstanding leadership qualities.

Gallacher, left with mixed feelings as his long-time friend and room-mate quit Lancashire, said: "Colin is the natural choice of skipper - he's an inspirational leader and a born winner who has performed at the highest level.

"His will to win will make him an instant hero with the fans and his experience and passion could drive Rangers to European success.

"Just watching him train is awesome. He hates losing goals and will do anything to stop them with any part of his body.

"He filled Richard Gough's place in the Scotland team superbly and he can do it again at Rangers. He was a cornerstone for Blackburn and if he does half as much for Rangers he'll be a huge success."

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