RAY Harford seems to have run into a brick wall in his attempts to add a second major signing to his capture of express winger Georgios Donis from Greek giants Panathinaikos.

The Blackburn Rovers manager's mission at the start of the summer was to bring in two big signings to further bolster a squad that should be significantly stronger anyway with injury problems having eased.

But he admitted: "It's very quiet on the transfer front at the moment."

Rovers moved swiftly to snap up Greek international Donis, who was also believed to be a target for Manchester United.

But they have been looking at other forwards, especially during Euro 96.

Harford and other members of the Ewood backroom team have made trips abroad to spy on potential targets.

And the club were very interested in Bordeaux striker Christophe Dugarry.

He admitted a tempting offer had been made but, instead, opted for AC Milan only to suffer a knee injury during the European Championships.

Another big signing to go with Donis would be a real boost as the new season approaches, and it could help to underline to Alan Shearer that Rovers have similar ambitions to him. Money, clearly, is not a problem and they have been searching at home as well as abroad.

Should Middlesbrough change their minds and decide that Nicky Barmby, for example, could leave in the wake of all their spending then I am sure Rovers would be in for him.

Harford isn't alone in finding it difficult to sign new players.

Despite all the money being thrown around by Premier League clubs, the top teams haven't really been involved in that much transfer action.

Manchester United have signed a couple of Scandinavians, Newcastle haven't bought anyone, neither have Arsenal and Spurs.

Aston Villa are hoping to bring in a foreign defender, while Everton have made just the one major signing in Gary Speed.

It's lower down the table, at the likes of Middlesbrough and Chelsea, where the big money has been spent as they attempt to catch up with the rest.

"The problem is that most of the top clubs are looking to strengthen in just one or maybe two positions and there are very few players available who are better than what they have already got," commented a top Premier League official as he looked at the general scene.

Rovers will be happy that they have now got competition for places in every area of the team and it will be fierce in some. But they would still like to make another major signing. The question is, where from?

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