BLACKBURN Rovers have sensationally entered the bidding for Alan Thompson.

As tabloid and radio reports claimed Aston Villa had pipped Leeds in the race to sign the Wanderers midfield ace, it emerged today that big-spending Ewood Park bosses have thrown their hat into the ring.

The Bolton Evening News can confirm that Rovers are the so-called 'mystery' third club to have been granted permission to speak to the 24-year-old Geordie and that Leicester City have made up a quartet of Premiership outfits to reach the crucial talks stage.

But it's Rovers who appear to have thrown a real spanner in the works as far as Villa and Leeds are concerned.

Rovers chief executive John Williams confirmed today: "Yes we are interested. We are talking to Bolton."

With Villa having apparently overtaken Leeds in the bidding - despite Elland Road chairman Peter Risdale's claim that they had an agreement not to become embroiled in an auction - Thompson looked set to be heading for a £4.8 million move to the Midlands.

Reports have even suggested he is due to have a second round of talks with Villa chairman Doug Ellis today and went as far as saying a medical was scheduled.

But Rovers have nipped in on the blindside, possibly emerging as the new favourites.

Roy Hodgson, who is a known admirer of Thompson's midfield talents, can satisfy all the player's requirements - European football, the chance to stay in his family home in Bolton and a lucrative financial package.

Rovers illustrated their ambition and spending power this week when they paid Southampton £7.5 million for striker Kevin Davies and made a dramatic move to sign Steve Staunton, who rejected a £20,000 a week offer to stay at Aston Villa!

Thompson is still the one who will make the final decision but the transfer auction has at least guaranteed that Wanderers, who didn't want to lose their prized asset, will get somewhere approaching - if not more than - their £5 million asking price!

WANDERERS' new away strip - a yellow and black version - will be launched next Tuesday.

The first 20 fans to buy their shirts at the club's Merchandise Store at the Reebok Stadium will receive a copy of the "Story of the Reebok". All existing season ticket holders will receive a 10 per cent discount if they pay by cash or cheque.

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