Goal.com: Reds target to stay at Blackburn

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Liverpool and Tottenham both tried to sign Junior Hoilett this month but were put off after Blackburn set an asking price of £8 million, Goal.com can reveal.

The winger has been described by well-placed sources as 'almost certain' to stay at Ewood Park until his contract expires in the summer after Blackburn priced him out of a move.

Both Spurs and Liverpool have made enquiries for the 21-year-old but were deterred by Blackburn's pricetag as manager Steve Kean seeks to keep his best players in the club's bid to avoid relegation this season.

Hoilett is keen to test himself at a bigger club and has decided to leave Blackburn at the end of the season amid interest from leading Premier League clubs. Kenny Dalglish and Harry Redknapp will be leading the queue of clubs looking to recruit the Canadian in the summer.

If Hoilett leaves Ewood Park after running down his contract, Blackburn will be entitled to compensation for 'training costs', most likely to be set by tribunal, as he is a product of their youth system.

That sum is likely to be less than half the £8m Blackburn wanted this month but provides the Premier League strugglers with some financial protection as Hoilett runs down his deal.

Source: Goal.com

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.