Blackburn Rovers are believed to be close to striking a deal to sign Porto striker Benni McCarthy.

The South African international has been a target of Hughes's for over a year and his Portuguese employers now seem ready to broker a deal, according to reports on the continent.

Porto president, Jorge Pinto da Costa, said: "Everything is practically closed.

"Benni has always wanted to play in England and this is the right time for both parties."