Dave Artell has confirmed that Rovers have had a bid rejected for Crewe Alexandra left back Harry Pickering.

Rovers have a long-standing interest in the 22-year-old full back who has built a reputation as one of the hottest properties outside of the Championship, and is approaching 150 games for the League One side.

A six-figure bid was made for Pickering, and while the two clubs weren’t far apart in the amount wanted as a down-payment, it is thought the additional extras and sell-on clause will see the deal become too expensive for Rovers, not least with the deadline for Barry Douglas’ possible return to Leeds United having now passed.

Speaking of Rovers’ interest in Pickering at a press conference, Artell said: "They (Blackburn) have made a bid for him and we've turned it down.

"We don't sell our players, clubs buy our players. It is not for us to put a price tag on their heads, we know their worth."

Rovers are understood to be the only club so far to have bid for Pickering, but Artell says there is a chance that he may not be at Gresty Road come the end of the window.

He added: "I spoke to Harry yesterday and told him the outlook is bright for him. I said there was a possibility he might not be here, however if he was here there would be a possibility he might not be here in the summer and he'd be playing at a higher level then."