UPDATE: According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have denied that they had a deal with Ivelin Popov and that it fell apart due to a work permit. Blackburn chairman John Williams simply said,

“The reports are not true.”

September 1st 2010: According to ESPN Soccernet, Blackburn had agreed to a transfer fee with Litex Lovech and a personal deal with Ivelin Popov but the deal fell through as they were unable to obtain a work permit.

August 23rd 2010: According to Sky Sports News, Blackburn are in “tentative negotiations” with Litex Lovech for striker Ivelin Popov. Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce said,

“We had a little look at him and we are in tentative negotiations … I am not so sure what the total outcome is in terms of price, but he is an interesting player … He is a very good young prospect but whether all the numbers stand up is another matter.”

August 19th 2010 According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have not made an offer for Litex Lovech striker Ivelin Popov. Popov trained with the club on trial but all the talks about the club signing him are premature. Chairman John Williams said,

“He is one of a number of strikers currently under consideration. We have not made an offer to his club.”

According to Blackburn’s official website, West Ham United have completed the signing of Blackburn defender Lars Jacobsen on a free transfer.

According to Blackburn’s official website, Blackburn have sent defender Zuran Khizanishvili to Reading on a season-long loan.

According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have told defender Lars Jacobsen that they are willing to sell him if they receive an acceptable offer. However, no such offer has been made yet.

According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn striker Jason Roberts is still up for sale but the club has not received any offers for him yet. Roberts will continue to sit out as manager Sam Allardyce said,

“Jason won’t be involved [in the match against Norwich] … I have decided he is available for transfer and if I play him and jeopardise that with him risking getting injured. That would be the wrong thing to do.

“We have made a decision between us and we will see what develops between us in the last eight days … If he doesn’t go anywhere then he doesn’t go anywhere … It is about being here and knuckling down and getting on with it if that is the case.

“He would like to move on and if that is the case we could use what money we get in to maybe afford somebody else we haven’t targeted yet.”

According to Chris Flanagan at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have made another bid for a striker but the club would not reveal who it was for.

Blackburn have also offered a trial to 26-year-old free agent striker Edixon Perea.

According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are still in the market for an experienced striker to join youngsters Nikola Kalinic and Mame Biram Diouf.

Also, is reported that Blackburn are scouting Nantes midfielder William Vainqueur. However signing a midfielder is not their main priority.

Lastly, the deal for Andranik Teymourian might fall apart as he is having trouble acquiring a work permit.

UPDATE: According to ESPN Soccernet, Manchester United youngster Danny Welbeck is undergoing a medical for Sunderland as he looks set to join the club on a season-long loan. Manager Steve Bruce said,

“We’re very close to bringing in young Danny Welbeck from Manchester United … He’s a young man but he’ll fit into our squad fantastically well … We’ve got him here this morning [Thursday]. It looks like the formalities are done as long as he comes through the medical and we hope to announce him later on today.

“It would be unfair to say that he [Welbeck] is the replacement for Kenwyne. There’s still a couple of weeks to go in the market and hopefully the money is there to go and spend it.”

August 7th 2010: According to Manchester United’s official website, Blackburn have signed Mame Diouf on season-long loan.

It is also reported that Manchester loaned out Joshua King to Preston North End until mid-November.

August 6th 2010: According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are the favorites of signing youngster Mame Diouf.

August 6th 2010 According to Manchester United’s official website, Manchester United will not be loaning out youngster Tom Cleverley, who has drawn interest from Bolton. Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said,

“He is an exceptional young player in terms of his ability to play a variety of position … He is such a talent, we must keep him. He showed at Watford that he’s a goalscorer from midfield and we need that. He has outstanding qualities.”

It is also reported that Ferguson plans to loan out Danny Welbeck and Mame Diouf, although it does not mention where they will go. Welbeck has been linked with Sunderland so far this summer.

According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, free agent striker Benjani Mwaruwari is training with Blackburn as he is trying to earn a deal with the club.

However it is reported that the two parties are just accessing one another right now and are not close to a deal.

According to The Independent, the possible takeover of Blackburn will not help the club this transfer window as it will not be completed until after the transfer deadline. Manager Sam Allardyce said,

“The new investment is not going to arrive before the transfer window is shut … That is probably certain now … Anybody who’s going to be interested, and if it is going to happen, it is not going to be between now and August 31.

“That being the situation, we are getting on with the business we have got in hand and working to the budgets we have already got in place … (Chairman) John Williams keeps me informed on the basis that if there is something to know, he tells me … There are some interested parties but that is as far as it goes.”

Businessman Ahasan Ali Syed is one of several suitors who are interested in purchasing the club.

According to Blackburn’s official website, Blackburn midfielder Steven Nzonzi has signed a new five-year deal with the club that will keep him there until June of 2015.

According to the Daily Post, Blackburn are interested in signing 22-year-old Everton striker James Vaughan.

It is reported that Everton value Vaughan at around £1.5million.

UPDATE: According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have not had any negotiations with Portsmouth for striker John Utaka. Utaka’s agent, Monique Van Vossem, said,

“We had heard there might be some interest from Blackburn but nothing definite at the moment … There have certainly been no negotiations.

“There are some clubs interested but no one team has yet made their interest official …He will leave Portsmouth for sure though.”

August 2nd, 2010: According to Sky Sports News, the mystery striker Blackburn have been trying to sign is Portsmouth striker John Utaka.

August 2nd, 2010: According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have made an improved bid to try and sign a striker. Blackburn chairman John Williams said,

“We have made an improved offer for a player and are waiting to hear the outcome of it … Negotiations will be ongoing this week.”

July 24th 2010: According to the Lancashire Telegraph, the striker that Blackburn are going after is not Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.

July 23rd, 2010 According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are closing in on signing a new striker. It is reported that the club’s officials have finally decided on pursuing an “unnamed” target and are preparing to table a bid. The club’s transfer budget is thought to be around £2.5million.

UPDATE: According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are still waiting to hear about a work permit for Andranik Teymourian. However Teymourian’s representatives are confident Andranik will be able to get one.

July 29th, 2010: According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are close to signing Andranik Teymourian to a short-term deal with the club. It is reported that Teymourian has undergone a medical.

July 22nd, 2010: According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn offered Teymourian a chance to travel with the team to Australia on trial. However the midfielder rejected the offer as he wants a contract.

July 15th, 2010 According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have handed a trial to free agent midfielder Andranik Teymourian. Teymourian was recently released by Fulham.

UPDATE: Blackpool, Blackburn Added

Blackpool: Clarke Carlisle, Angel Rangel, Gary Kenneth, Robert Koren, Richard Chaplow, Michael Bradley, Danny Welbeck, Francis Jeffers, DJ Campbell, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake

Blackburn: Roberto Canella, Gregory Cerdan, Rodrigo Araujo, Karl Henry, Wendel, Henrique Haygnner Celestine, Tuncay Sanli, Jo, Aristide Bance

July 29th, 2010: Stoke City added to the list

Stoke City: Maynor Figueroa, Javier Pinola, Paul Scharner, Jermaine Jenas, Gary O’Neil, Jermaine Pennant, Kevin Prince Boateng, Victor Obinna, Carlton Cole, and Roman Pavlyuchenko

July 29th, 2010 Simon Rice at The Independent has written many articles that talk about potential targets for the following clubs:

Birmingham: Paul Konchesky, Nathaniel Clyne, Juan Roman Riquelme, Ryan Babel, Aiden McGeady, Charles N’Zogbia, Tom Cleverley, Moussa Dembele, Bobby Zamora, Robbie Keane, and Katlego Mphela

Bolton Wanderers: Lee Naylor, Alan Hutton, Jack Wilshere, Tom Cleverley, Juan Roman Riquelme, Karim Matmour, Franco Di Santo, Rodrigo Moreno, Araujo Ilan, and James Beattie

Sunderland: Chris Kirkland, Nedum Onuoha, Alan Hutton, Tuncay Sanli, Jamie O’Hara, Chris Eagles, Stephen Ireland, John Utaka, Danny Welbeck, Nelson Valdez

West Bromwich: Marton Fulop, Calum Davenport, Phil Bardsley, Jimmy Bullard, George Boateng, Jason Koumas, Rob Hulse, James Beattie, Mohammed Tchite, and Jason Roberts

West Ham United: Francois Clerc, Nicky Shorey, Jamie O’Hara, Kevin Prince Boateng, Steve Sidwell, Jermaine Pennant, Neymar, Yakubu, Loic Remy, Diego Tardelli,

Wigan Athletic: Tyrone Mears, Marcos Ramos, Roberto Canella Martinez, Jermaine Pennant, Darren Pratley Martinez, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Jose Callejon Martinez, Franco Di Santo, Pierre Webo, and Humberto Suazo

Wolverhampton: Andre Bikey, Michael Mancienne, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Aaron Mokoena, Adam Lallana, Benjani Mwaruwari, Jordan Ayew, Tommy Smith, James Beattie, and Robbie Keane

According to Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn have told defender Zurab Khizanishvili that he can leave the club on a free transfer this summer.

It is reported that an unnamed Turkish club is interested in signing the 28-year-old.

According to the Daily Mail, Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton is not for sale despite interest from Galatasaray. Manager Sam Allardyce said,

“Brett has never been as physically fit as he is now … The trauma of an injury like the one he suffered last season mentally shocked him.

“We hope that he will put those injuries to one side and that he will come through and blossom because we need him in the team.”

According to Blackburn’s official website, Blackburn defender Grant Hanley has signed a new five-year deal with the club that will keep him there until the summer of 2015.

According to the Daily Star Sunday, West Bromwich boss Roberto Di Matteo is prepared to make a £1million bid for 32-year-old Blackburn striker Jason Roberts.

It is also reported that West Bromwich are also interested in Stoke City striker James Beattie.

UPDATE: According to West Ham United’s official website, West Ham United have signed Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne for an undisclosed fee. Piquionne signed a three-year deal with the club.

July 16th, 2010: According to Sky Sports News, Frederic Piquionne is undergoing a medical with West Ham United and is expected to sign a three-year deal.

July 5th, 2010: According to ESPN Soccernet, West Ham United are on the verge of signing Frederic Piquionne and the deal could be completed as early as today.

July 1st, 2010 According to the Express & Star, West Bromwich are not interested in signing striker Frederic Piquionne anymore. This leaves West Ham, Blackburn, and Fulham as the Premier League teams still in the race.

June 30th, 2010 According to Sky Sports News, West Ham United are planning to step up their efforts to sign Piquionne as Avram Grant is greatly interested in his former Portsmouth striker.

Also, Andy Cryer at the Lancashire Telegraph is reporting that Blackburn are set to jump in the mix.

June 28th, 2010 According to Sky Sports News, West Bromwich have joined the race to sign Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne, who played on loan at Portsmouth last season.

Fulham and West Ham United are also interested in the 31-year-old, who reportedly costs only €1million.