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Damien Duff will decide whether or not to stay at Blackburn when he returns from holiday.

The Republic of Ireland winger was one of the stars of the World Cup and Liverpool and Manchester United have already made enquiries about him.

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The 23-year-old has two years left on his current contract and Blackburn will offer him an extension that would make him one of the highest-paid players at Ewood Park.

"Clearly, everyone at the club would like Damien to stay," Blackburn chief executive John Williams said.

"It is the club's intention to negotiate an extension to his contract at the earliest opportunity.

Damien can have a deal as short or as long as he wants, within reason

John Williams
Blackburn chief executive

"I would be delighted to see him continue in a blue and white Rovers shirt next season.

"But it is essential he signs the new contract that is on offer. We need to protect our asset and talks with him will begin as soon as he returns this week.

"I have spoken with [Blackburn manager] Graeme Souness and he is confident he can persuade Damien to remain with us on football grounds, at least for the foreseeable future."

Duff is rated at �20m by Blackburn and has attracted interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

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Blackburn manager Graeme Souness
Souness is happy at Ewood Park

Meanwhile, Souness has dismissed suggestions he would walk out on the club if they were to sell their prime asset.

Reports suggested Souness was stalling on a new contract until he received assurances he did not have to sell any of his top players.

But Souness said: "I've already spoken briefly to John Williams and the board and we've agreed to talk again when I get back for pre-season training.

"But it's not my style to play games with people. I've got a good relationship with the board and I'm very happy at Blackburn, so I'm not going to hold a gun to anybody's head.

If someone like Inter Milan came along with an offer of ridiculous money for one of our players then we'd have to consider it

Graeme Souness
Blackburn manager

"We've got some very good players here and my intention is to keep them because we are trying to build something which is going to last."

But the Scot realises the situation could change if Duff refuses the club's offer of a contract extension.

"I've been in the game long enough to know how simple economics work," he said.

"If someone like Inter Milan came along with an offer of ridiculous money for one of our players, whether it's Damien Duff or Brad Friedel, then we'd have to consider it.

"But the fact remains we have not had any offers for Damien and we don't want any either because at this moment in time he's not for sale."


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