BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has stepped up his hunt for a new striker.

The Rovers chief wants a new forward on board before the transfer window slams shut next month, and Telegraph Sport can reveal that talks have begun with a number of different parties, although the club have yet to make a formal bid for any of their main targets.

Chairman John Williams said today: "We've stepped up the hunt this week and it's possible we might be able to do something.

"We are in more detailed discussions with various parties, but we haven't cracked it just yet."

It is believed that Hughes is currently pursuing a number of different options, including Bayern Munich's £4.5m-rated hitman Roque Santa Cruz and Everton's James Beattie.

However, two further mystery' targets are also in the frame, so a number of different scenarios could yet unfold, depending on the outcome of talks over the next few days.

Ideally, Hughes would like to have a new face in the squad before the season starts on August 11, and there is even a chance something could happen in the next seven days.

Santa Cruz's agent Jan Van Baal claims Rovers have already made a concrete offer for his client, but Porto and Real Zaragoza are also thought to be chasing the striker as well.

"He will sign for a new club within two or three days. We are negotiating with three clubs in Europe," said van Baal.

"There are two concrete offers, one from Blackburn and one from Southern Europe but he is keeping his options open."