EXCLUSIVE: Blackburn want £18m for Hoilett

Blackburn want a stunning £18million for attacker Junior Hoilett - as they try to scare off potential suitors Tottenham and Newcastle.

The Canadian's contract is up at the end of the season and he has yet to commit to a new deal, but Rovers' Indian owners are not going to sell him in the January window unless the fee is huge.

Manager Steve Kean hopes he can still persuade Hoilett to carry on with the club, despite their current troubles, and neither he nor the Ewood Park money-men want to cash in.

Spurs have been long-time admirers of Hoilett, while Newcastle would also like him.

Blackburn will let Hoilett's contract run out if they have to, and take a chance of getting a decent amount for him at a transfer tribunal if he signs for a Premier League club.

The last and best example of a similar case is Daniel Sturridge's move from Manchester City to Chelsea, which eventually led to a fee of £3.5m, plus £3m in extras.

Rovers could argue at a tribunal that Hoilett's valuation should be greater, because he has played more for them than Sturridge did for City.

However, if Hoilett goes to a club on the continent, Blackburn would only be due a minimal 'training' fee that would not reflect his current worth.

Hoilett has been Kean's best bit of work since he took charge a year ago, promoting the kid into his side after predecessor Sam Allardyce had used him sparingly.

However, a dispute over the size of a potential sell-on fee stopped Hoilett signing a new long-term deal worth around £2m-a-year.

And now, his refusal to commit brings him closer to leaving - but Blackburn want to block that exit route unless they get the massive £18m fee they wanted to include in his new deal.