VALENCIA striker Salva Ballesta is still a Wanderers target. Manager Sam Allardyce said today: "We have a chance with Salva. It's not certain, but I have pushed hard most of the day and made progress."

Allardyce is keen on the 23-year-old, who cost Valencia more than £8 million when he was signed in 2001, but fluctuating cash demands are holding up the talks.

"We have tried to our best to push on a deal for Salva but it's hit rocky ground on the financial aspect," said the Bolton boss earlier.

"All the ones before this have been too expensive and went way above the budget we have available.

"Obviously one signing before the deadline will be a major boost and hopefully we will be successful."

Ballesta has made just three appearances for the Spanish club during the current campaign, but could now move to Wanderers on a loan deal until the end of the season

His agent Juan Maraver said: "There's a strong interest in him but the clubs have still to reach an agreement."

Salva is out of the picture at the Spanish club and was not even on the bench in the 1-0 defeat of Sevilla.

But he has a good scoring record. He is in his second year at Valencia after joining them from Atletico Madrid where he scored 22 goals in 33 games.

He topped the league scoring charts in 2000 when his tally was 27 for Racing Santander.