Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has today been linked with a move for Dymano Kiev centre-back Pape Diakhate.

Having swelled his coffers with the £18million sale of Paraguayan hitman Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City yesterday, 'Big Sam' is eagerly scouring the European markets as he looks for the reinforcements he hopes will propel Rovers to greater heights next season.

And according to the Daily Mail, the Rovers boss is keen on luring Senegal international Diakhate, 25, to Ewood Park this summer having been impressed by the powerful 6ft 1in defender in last season's UEFA Champions League.
The former Nancy man was particularly impressive during his side's two games against Arsenal last season and was even linked with a £10million move to The Emirates during the January transfer window.

And with Diakhate set to depart the Ukrainian champions after two years at the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium, a move to the Premier League with Blackburn may be on the cards, although the Lancashire club may face stiff competition from a host of Italian clubs including Atalanta, Siena and Lecce.