BLACKBURN Rovers have received no approach from Watford for striker Rudy Gestede – and they would push for a fee greater than £5m if the striker was to leave Ewood Park this summer.

Reports yesterday suggested that newly promoted Watford were closing in on a £5m deal for Gestede but that speculation left Rovers bemused, with no contact made between the clubs.

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Despite reaching the Premier League only a few weeks ago, the Hornets have also been thrown into uncertainty with the future of manager Slavisa Jokanovic in severe doubt.

Gestede has made no secret of the fact that he is ambitious to play in the Premier League and they could find it hard to hold on to the striker if a top flight club came calling.

Rovers are braced for offers this summer, realistic that a number of clubs are likely to be considering a bid.

But owners Venky’s ideally do not want to sell the 26-year-old and Rovers would ask for a fee well in excess of £5m should they receive an offer.

Crystal Palace saw a £3.5m bid rejected in January and Rovers believe that Gestede’s valuation has increased again since then, after he impressed against Premier League sides Swansea City, Stoke City and Liverpool in the FA Cup.

Gestede scored 22 goals during the 2014/15 season and Rovers know that goalscorers come at a premium.

While still a Championship club, Watford rejected a bid of £10m from Leicester City for Troy Deeney last summer.

Hornets boss Jokanovic is out of contract at Vicarage Road this summer and a new deal is yet to be agreed, with the Serbian’s position at the club looking increasingly fragile.

Watford, however, do not rely exclusively on their manager to make signings – with their scouts and Italian owner Giampaolo Pozzo also heavily involved.

The Hornets already appear to be strong in the striking department, with Deeney and Odion Ighalo both reaching the 20-goal mark on the way to promotion.

A third forward, Matej Vydra, struck 16 times but the Czech was only on loan from Udinese – also owned by Pozzo – and it has not yet been confirmed whether he will remain at Vicarage Road next season.

Gestede joined Rovers from Cardiff City for a fee of only £200,000 in January 2014, having made only three appearances for the Bluebirds in the top flight.

The Benin international has netted a highly impressive 34 goals in 65 games for Rovers and still has two years left on his contract at Ewood Park.