BLACKBURN Rovers have yet to receive a fresh offer for captain Grant Hanley from Newcastle United.

Rovers knocked back bids of £3.5m and £4.5m from their Championship rivals at the end of last week.

Newcastle, who came down from the Premier League last season, have since flown out to Ireland for a pre-season training camp.

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But Rafa Benitez’s big-spending side are still keen on making Hanley their sixth summer signing.

As of yesterday Newcastle had not returned with a third formal offer for the 24-year-old Scotland international. It is understood, however, that Rovers anticipate one being lodged.

Owen Coyle has made it clear that he does not want to lose Hanley.

And he has also stressed the bids Newcastle have made so far would not tempt the club to consider selling its reigning player of the year.

“Number one, I don’t want to be selling Grant Hanley,” said Rovers boss Coyle after his side kicked-off their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win over SV Ried on Saturday.

“But obviously we can’t stops clubs from admiring our players. It’s the same with me. I admire players at other clubs and you go after them.

“But what I would also say is about Grant Hanley’s valuation as a player. I hold him in a very high esteem. I think he is a very, very good player.

“And I think it’s fair to say, in my own opinion, they are nowhere near the valuation of Grant Hanley.

“I don’t want to lose him.”

Armed with massive parachute payments Newcastle have spent close to £30m on goalkeeper Matz Sels, defenders Jesus Gamez and Isaac Hayden, midfielder Matt Ritchie and striker Dwight Gayle.

And, following the departure of Andros Townsend to Crystal Palace for £13m, their coffers could be boosted further by the sales of the £35m-rated Moussa Sissoko and the £27m-rated Gini Wijnaldum.

Rovers are also aware of price tags put on other centre-backs who played in the Championship last season including Burnley’s Michael Keane, who was the subject of a failed £15m offer from Premier League champions Leicester City, and Tom Lees, who is rated in the £10m bracket by Sheffield Wednesday.

There have been reports from the north east that Hanley, who has made 200 appearances at Ewood Park after joining the club as a 16-year-old from Crewe Alexandra, is keen to make the move to Newcastle.

But Coyle said: “When all is said and done Grant Hanley is a player who is under contract at Blackburn Rovers.

“I know the way the world works when agents get to work and such forth.

“But all I would say is Grant Hanley’s our captain and we don’t want to lose him.

“I totally understand why Newcastle covet him but, as I said before, and I’ll repeat it, in my opinion they are nowhere near the valuation which I consider Grant Hanley to be.”

Hanley, who sat out the friendly with SV Ried with a knee injury, has two years remaining on his Rovers contract.