Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean is eyeing Leeds United captain Jonny Howson.
The Daily Star says Kean and Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle are battling to land Howson.
And the East Lancashire neighbours will try to snap up the restless Elland Road midfielder in the January transfer window.
Howson, 23, is in the final year of his contract with the Yorkshire outfit and is stalling on the Championship club's offer of a new deal.