Blackburn want Ruud

Rovers owners Venky's have been searching for a world star to bring to Ewood Park since taking over the club last autumn and, after missing out on Ronaldinho and David Beckham in January, former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy is now a target.

Former Rovers boss Sam Allardyce attempted to sign the Dutchman two years ago and Kean, who took over the hotseat following Allardyce's sacking in December, told ESPNsoccernet: "Yes, I can confirm we are interested."

Van Nistelrooy, who played with Blackburn full-back Michel Salgado at Real Madrid, is out of contract at Hamburg in the summer and has already confirmed he will not sign a new deal at the Bundesliga club.

The 34-year-old scored 150 goals in five years at Old Trafford between 2001 and 2006 and is known to favour a move back to England or Spain.