Blackburn Rovers F.C. manager Gary Bowyer has revealed that Sheffield Wednesday have yet to submit a formal offer for Leon Best.
The Republic of Ireland international, 27, joined Rovers from Newcastle United in July 2012 for around £3 million but has netted just five goals in 16 appearances in all competitions for the Lancashire-based club over the past two seasons.
Best was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday on 14 February 2014, marking his third stint with the club. He had previously spent time on loan in South Yorkshire from Southampton in 2005 and 2006.
Having scored four times in 15 Football League Championship appearances for Wednesday last term, reports have linked the club with a summer swoop for the 27-year-old striker, who was transfer-listed by Blackburn earlier this summer.
“I’ve not heard of any contact from Sheffield Wednesday,” Bowyer told the Lancashire Telegraph.
“We’ve had one or two enquiries but nothing has actually been backed up.
“He’s still contracted to Blackburn Rovers, he’s trained with the group this morning and he is available for selection.”
Meanwhile, Blackburn are currently without the services of first-team striker Rudy Gestede, who is currently on international duty with Benin.
Benin, captained by West Bromwich Albion’s Stéphane Sessègnon, defeated Malawi 1-0 in the first leg of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou on Sunday, 20 July.
The return leg will be played at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday, 2 August.
“In an ideal world we would love to have Rudy with us but his country calls,” added Bowyer.
“The good thing is he will be playing competitive games and doing training over there.
“We are not worried about him missing out on anything and we will also send him away with a programme.
“He started pre-season with us, which was important for him because they were the early stages, and I’m sure he’ll come back flying.”
Gestede tallied 13 goals and three assists in 29 appearances in all competitions for Rovers last season.
Shaqiri talks up Juve switch
Bayern Munich forward Xherdan Shaqiri has admitted Liverpool, Juventus or Monaco would be ‘good’ options amid reports linking him with an exit from the Allianz Arena.
The Switzerland international, 22, enjoyed a impressive World Cup this summer and has since been linked with an exit from German Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich, where he was seemingly surplus to requirements last season.
“I’m having holidays and I don’t know what will happen,” Shaqiri told Tuttosport. “The only sure thing is that I have a deal until 2016 with Bayern. We will see in a short time.
“Juve ? I don’t know if there are contacts with them or with Liverpool and Monaco. Surely Juve could be a good option so as Liverpool and Monaco. They are a big club, who wouldn’t like to play there ? I’m a Bayern player but I wouldn’t see Bianconeri as a step backward for my career.”
Despite Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer recently insisting Shaqiri is not for sale, expect the 22-year-old to ply his trade elsewhere, probably at the Stade Louis II, next term.
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