Former England international Danny Murphy was last night closing in on sealing a move to Blackburn Rovers.

The 35-year-old midfielder was understood to be having a medical last night with Rovers hopeful a deal could be wrapped up imminently.

The free transfer capture of Murphy would be a big coup for the Championship new boys as they look to earn an instant Premier League return.

Murphy did attract interest from Premier League Queens Park Rangers, while Fulham were also attempting to convince the former Liverpool man to stay at Craven Cottage for another season.

But the offer of a two-year deal and lucrative pay packet may have convinced Murphy that Ewood Park is the right place for him.

Murphy’s signature would give Rovers a boost in their bid to persuade other players there is a brighter future at the troubled East Lancashire outfit.

Newcastle striker Leon Best is understood to be mulling over a £2m move to Rovers after being told he had no future at St James Park.

Moves for Murphy and Bet are the clearest sign that Anuradha Desai is giving under-fire boss Steve Kean a decent budget to strengthen his squad.

Rovers are also looking to bring in a Premier League midfielder on loan to provide extra energy in the centre of the park.

Junior Hoilett and Yakubu are still expected to quit Ewood this summer, while Steven Nzonzi, Martin Olsson, Mauro Formica, Gael Givet Paul Robinson and Scott Dan will take some convincing to stay.

Murphy, who won nine full England caps, was born in Chester and started out as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra.

Many top flight clubs had their eye on Murphy before his eventual move to Liverpool.

Before he left, he helped Crewe get to the second flight of English football for the first time since the war as Crewe finished third in Division Two, before going on to defeat Brentford 1-0 at Wembley in the play-offs.

After seven years at Anfield Murphy moved to then-top flight Charlton Athletic before heading to Tottenham Hotspur and then across London to Craven Cottage in 2007.