Sam Allardyce rushes to beat Porto to Croatian Nikola Kalinic

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is hurrying through a £6million deal for Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic to stop Porto snatching him away.

Rovers are thrashing out terms with Hajduk Split and the 21-year-old has spent the past two days in Lancashire.

Rovers put in an offer last night and Split are mulling it over. But there is also a rival bid from Porto, who want to buy a "half share" in Kalinic.

Blackburn appear to to be in pole position and Allardyce hopes to have Kalinic in his side for the Premier League kick-off with Manchester City.

But because he has just three full Croatia caps a work permit application would go to an appeal, although Rovers are confident it will be granted.