BLACKBURN Rovers have had a bid rejected for Millwall midfielder Steven Reid.

I can exclusively reveal that Rovers boss Graeme Souness has made an official offer in the region of £2 million for the Republic of Ireland star in the last 48 hours.

But Lions chief Theo Paphitis has turned down Souness's initial advances after branding the offer as 'unrealistic.'

Rovers have been tracking Reid for the best part of a year, as we revealed some time ago, and Souness sees him as the ideal replacement for Keith Gillespie.

But he may now have to sit tight and hope that Millwall will drop their asking price as the summer goes on because he's not prepared to up the ante in the current financial climate.

Reid is highly-rated and was recently voted the best young player in Ireland when Damien Duff won the senior award.

However, Rovers are not prepared to cough up more than £2 million for a player who is still unproven in Premiership terms.

Millwall are thought to be digging their heals in after they let Lucas Neill go on the cheap two years ago.

Reid is thought to be keen on a move to Ewood but he may have to be patient if his dream move is to materialise.

Meanwhile, Gillespie is reported to have been offered a one-year contract by Manchester City.