Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is desperate to clinch the signing of Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy.
But Ewood chief Mark Hughes is refusing to sell the man who cost £1.8million from Porto last summer.
Mourinho said: "Benni had a great first season. He quickly settled into the English game.
"He is the kind of striker every coach wants and I am no exception.
"I've worked with him successfully in the past at FC Porto. I do like Benni.
"I saw the possibility of us reuniting at Chelsea but he has a contract.
"I could tell that he wanted to play for me again because we had a wonderful time together.
"But Blackburn said he was not for sale and you have to respect that."
