Rovers were weighing up a move for Italian marksman Corrado Grabbi on this day in 2001, after Graeme Souness watched him score for Serie B side Ternana.

Rovers were ready to move for the 20-goal striker but faced competition for the 25-year-old hot-shot, with Serie A side Udinese linked. Reports in Italy suggested that Grabbi had already agreed a £1million-a-season contract with Rovers, with Souness’ links following spells with Sampdoria and Torino likely to work in Rovers’ favour.

It was expected that competition would push the fee above £5m, with Rovers embarking on life back in the Premier League after promotion from the Championship.

CEO John Williams said: “Graeme’s been abroad scouting for targets and he has been looking at an Italian striker.”

Sam Allardyce had a reputation for reviving the careers of some world stars, with the likes Jay-Jay Okocha, Fernando Hierro and Youri Djorkaeff enjoying spells under him at Bolton.

And he was considering a similar-type move while in charge of Rovers in 2010, with Rovers keen on Spanish midfielder Guti.

Rovers had made contact with the Spaniard’s representatives with Guti believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

The wage demands of the Real Madrid man would likely prove to be a stumbling block, with Rovers’ priority lying in midfield.

James Beattie, Benjani, Frederic Piquionne and Kris Boyd were all also believed to be on Rovers’ wish-list, although reports linking Burnley striker Steven Fletcher with a move to Ewood were wide of the mark.

It was hoped Michel Salgado could tempt his former Real Madrid team-mate that a move to Rovers would be an attractive proposition.

When asked whether Guti would consider a move to Blackburn, agent Zoran Vekic, said: “It is possible. Little talks have gone on and while there is nothing happening at the moment, it is possible.”

In 2011, Rovers announced that Tom Finn was stepping down from his position as managing director, bringing an end to his 15-year Ewood Park career.

Finn’s departure came just three months after chairman John Williams ended his own 14-year Rovers reign as a new era under Venky’s continued to bring about change around Ewood Park.

New deputy chief executive Paul Hunt was set to arrive from Leicester City later that month.

The well-respected Finn said: “While sad to be moving on, I believe the time is right for me and the club.

“The owners are putting in place their plans for how the club is to operate going forward.

“I have told Paul that he is joining a special football club that is an integral part of its local community.”

As Rovers counted the cost of relegation from the Premier League in 2012, Martin Olsson’s international ambitions meant staying at Rovers was “not an

option”, according to his agent and former Rover Martin Dahlin.

Olsson was preparing to represent Sweden at the European Championships but had already attracted interest from “five or six” clubs following Rovers’ relegation.

The 24-year-old admitted that he was flattered by talk of potential interest from Chelsea, potentially as a long-term replacement for Ashley Cole, while the likes of Stoke, Newcastle and Galatasaray were among those already linked.

Two years ago, after a stunning first season at the club, Rovers were in talks with Bradley Dack over a new contract. 

The League One player of the year was understood to be happy to commit his future to Rovers in a boost to boss Tony Mowbray.

Zurab Khizanishvili was seeking talks with Rovers in 2009 over his future after just three Premier League starts during 2008/09.

He said: “I still like it at Blackburn. I am not unhappy, I just wish I was playing a bit more.”