GARY Bowyer says Blackburn Rovers are in discussions with an unnamed Premier League club over the transfer of top-scorer Rudy Gestede.

The 12-goal striker did not travel with the Rovers squad for today’s 1-1 derby draw at Wigan Athletic as talks continued.

On Friday Hull City boss Steve Bruce, who had a £12m bid for Gestede’s strike-partner Jordan Rhodes rejected in the summer, appeared to pull out of any potential deal.

But West Brom and Crystal Palace have continued to be linked strongly with the towering targetman who has scored 24 goals in 45 games for Rovers after his £200,000 move from Cardiff City last January.

Rovers boss Bowyer said: “Rudy was part of our preparations during the beginning of the week and then things changed.

“The club is in talks or discussions with a Premiership club.

“If it’s not concluded over this weekend we expect him to come in on Monday, which he will do, and work as hard as he has done over the past 14 months, and prepare for the rest of the games we’ve got.

“Ever since he arrived we’ve worked hard with him and developed him and produced all the interest we have now in him.”

Asked whether it was the club’s or Gestede’s decision for him not to feature today, Bowyer said: “When a club is in discussion with our club everything has to be taken into consideration so it wasn’t one individual on that.”

Asked if Gestede has asked to leave, Bowyer said: “He’s been fine, he’s aware of it and he’s handled it superbly well because he’s a top lad. He’s just getting on with it and now we’re going to see what happens with the developments.”

And Bowyer, who can only make loan signings or free transfers this month after Rovers failed Financial Fair Play, added: “One thing I will say is the Premiership clubs have to meet our valuation of any of our players as, even though we’ve got this embargo, the owners are very strong in saying the valuation has to be met.

“We saw that with Jordan Rhodes in August. They will stand by that. Any bids will have to be to the owners’ appreciation.”