Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce is looking to beat Everton to the signature of Benfica midfielder Hassan Yebda after launching a £3million bid for the French-born ace.

'Big Sam' is a big admirer of the 25-year-old and is eager to thrash out a deal to bring him to Ewood Park before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

The Portguese giants had slapped a £7million price tag on Yebda, but having recently lured Real Madrid midfielder Javi Garcia to the Estadio de Luz they are now said to be willing to accept less than half that amount.

Toffees boss David Moyes is also thought to be interest in the player, who was a product of Auxerre's famed youth system, which was also home to the likes of Jean-Alain Boumsong, Philippe Mexes and Djibril Cisse.

But it appears that Rovers are in pole position to land the Algeria international, with Allardyce also close to securing the £2million capture of Pascal Chimbonda from Tottenham.