BLACKBURN Rovers’ owners are set to focus on signing a young striker in the summer – despite revealing that they spoke to Sevilla about a possible deal for Brazilian star Luis Fabiano.

Indian poultry giants Venky’s are expected to have more money to spend in the close season after funding the signings of Mauro Formica and Ruben Rochina as well as loan deals for Roque Santa Cruz and Jermaine Jones during the January transfer window.

They have previously spoken about their desire to bring in a ‘marquee signing’ and their failure to land Ronaldinho last month – with the former Barcelona forward instead returning to Brazil to join Flamengo – led to an approach to Sevilla for Fabiano.

The 30-year-old is considered one of the best strikers in the world, having led the line for Brazil at last year’s World Cup, and could have been an exciting proposition for Rovers fans had a deal been put together.

A club spokesman has insisted that finances were not the stumbling block but Fabiano signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal with Sevilla in August, following interest from Tottenham among others, and it may now prove difficult to prise him away from the club with whom he has twice won the Europa League.

Rovers now say they have dropped their interest in the prolific forward and are instead keen to bring in a more youthful striker, whose value could increase as time goes on.

The owners have outlined their emphasis on signing and developing young players ever since they purchased the club in November, although with three months still remaining of the current campaign they are yet to finalise their transfer plans for the summer.

“We did talk with Sevilla about Fabiano,” said the spokesman.

“It was after we did not sign Ronaldinho, but we are not interested in signing Fabiano now. We want to sign a young striker.

“But there are no plans for transfers now. We still have more time.”

Rovers have already been linked with Helsingborgs prospect Alexander Gerndt after the player’s agent Per Jonsson, who also represents well-documented target Seb Larsson, said that he had received an enquiry for the £3m-rated forward.

The 24-year-old has recently broken into the Swedish national team but is also said to be interesting Ajax as well as Spanish duo Levante and Racing Santander – the club owned by Ahsan Ali Syed, who tried to buy Rovers last year.

Reports have also suggested that Rovers are chasing AZ Alkmaar midfielder Rasmus Elm, although the Swede’s representative Patrick Mork yesterday told the Lancashire Telegraph that he was unaware of any interest.

Venky’s have insisted they will not rush the appointment of a new chairman after John Williams left the club last week.

They say any names mentioned are merely speculation at this point, as they bid to make sure they find the right man for the job.