BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer would be loathe to lose top-scorer Rudy Gestede to the Premier League.

But he understands why Hull City and a number of other top-flight outfits are knocking on his door over the 12-goal striker.

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Hull are credited with having the strongest interest in signing the 26-year-old Benin international.

But Bowyer yesterday revealed they are not the only Premier League club tracking Gestede.

No official bids had been lodged with Rovers last night despite reports suggesting the Tigers were close to agreeing a £4.5m deal.

But Bowyer would not be surprised if one is forthcoming given the form Gestede has shown since his £200,000 move from Cardiff City last January.

The towering targetman has scored 24 goals in 45 appearances since opening his account for Rovers in a New Year’s Day win at Leeds United.

And Bowyer, whose side are away to Wigan Athletic tomorrow, said: “Rudy announced his arrival with that header at Leeds and he has not looked back since.

“He’s now on everybody’s lips and rightly so because he’s a fantastic lad and a fantastic player – I don’t think there’s anybody in the country who heads the ball at goal quite like him.

“He’s done brilliant for us so it does not surprise me that people are interested.

“We’ve recruited him well, we’ve worked with him, we’ve improved him, and this is a consequence of that.”

Any bids that do come in for Gestede, who has also been linked with West Brom and Crystal Palace, will be taken to Rovers’ owners Venky’s.

“If it was down to me nobody would leave,” said Bowyer, who spoke to Gestede at training yesterday about the speculation over his future.

“But it’s not my money and it’s not my football club so obviously if a bid comes in then we have to take it to the owners.”

Rovers have also yet to receive any offers for transfer-listed striker Leon Best after Derby County ended his season-long loan early.

Bowyer said: “I’ve heard speculation about clubs wanting to take him on loan but there’s been nothing concrete on that.

“He’s back training with us and we’ll have to wait and see if that changes.”

Anthony O’Connor has turned down the chance to sign a permanent deal with Plymouth Argyle.

The Pilgrims agreed a small fee with Rovers for the 22-year-old defender.

But O’Connor, who has spent the last five months on loan at the League Two outfit, wants to keep his options open until the summer when he becomes a free agent.

Now Plymouth are attempting to re-sign the Republic of Ireland U21s international on loan until the end of the season.