Bids of £13million, £15million and then £16million were all rejected by Rovers as they didn't meet the release clause that was put in Duff's new contract last season. However, a renewed bid of around £17million has triggered that release clause and allows the club to talk terms with Duff.

Chelsea have confirmed the story on it's Official website, although the Blackburn website doesn't have anything about it yet.

However, whilst a fee has been agreed, a deal is far from done. Apart from agreeing personal terms and passing a medical, Duff needs convincing that London is the place for him. It is thought that he is very reluctant to leave the North-West, although a nice big salary and the lure of Champions League football should hopefully be enough to convince the Irishman.

Blackburn Chief Executive John Williams said, "There's a massive financial up side to selling him which can never be underestimated in the post-Jack Walker era.

"But our football instinct currently prevails and we don't want him to go.

"We know Chelsea can entice Damien with the lure of Champions League football but we want him to stay here and try and achieve that with us."

The plot thickens...