BLACKBURN Rovers managing director Derek Shaw insists the club is doing everything it can to tie attacker Josh King down to a new contract.

The 23-year-old will be a free agent when his current two-and-a-half-year deal runs out in the summer.

Rovers have made it clear they want King, one of the heroes of the club’s thrilling run to the FA Cup quarter-finals this season, to pen fresh terms.

Now the Norway international has gone away to weigh up the contract offer he has been made.

It is understood that Rovers would be willing to hand King a three-year deal.

Shaw said: “We’ve been talking to Josh for several months.

“He’s recently changed his advisor and at this moment in time, nothing has been concluded.

“But we are certainly making every inroad to renew Josh King’s contract.

“Football players don’t have massive careers so you’ve got to respect that he wants to make sure everything is right for himself.

“We respect that and hopefully, before long, we’ll have some news.”

The lightning-fast King, mainly due to injury, made just eight starts this season.

But he underlined the ability he possesses with superb performances in the FA Cup wins over Premier League sides Swansea City and Stoke City.

The former Manchester United trainee, who sees his future as a central striker, hit a stunning hat-trick against Stoke.

That display brought King to nationwide attention and, speaking to Norwegian media this week, he stated other clubs are interested in signing him.

But he promised to take his time before making a final decision.

King, who returned from a two-month injury lay-off to come on as a substitute in Rovers’ final two games of the season, said: “It is not true that I have extended (my contract) with Blackburn. I have not decided yet.

“This is an important decision for my career. I have been offered a new contract but now I use the time.”

King, who plans to train with his boyhood club Valerenga ahead of Norway’s Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Azerbaijan on June 12, is one of eight first-team Rovers players out of contract in the summer.

Midfielder David Dunn confirmed last week he will not be staying at the club and goalkeeper Paul Robinson, after seven years at Ewood Park, and defender Yann Songo’o will also depart.

Striker Luke Varney, currently on loan at play-off bound Ipswich Town, will be a free agent come July, as will defender Matt Kilgallon and midfielders Lee Williamson and Chris Taylor.

Kilgallon and Williamson are mulling over contract offers and it is understood Rovers are also keen to come to an agreement with Taylor.