Third offer for Duff rejected so Chelsea up bid

"Chelsea have made a new offer. It is a very substantial offer in the current climate but it still falls short of what we require," Rovers chief executive John Williams told the London Evening Standard.

"However, the issue is of great significance to the club and I am duty bound to discuss it with not only my colleagues on the board but the club's major shareholders.

"There is a lot of financial upside to selling which cannot be underestimated in the post-Jack Walker era, but we don't want to sell Damien.

"We know Chelsea can entice Damien with Champions League football but we want him to stay here and achieve that with us."