CHERRIES have seen a £3.5million bid for Joe Rothwell rejected, according to a report by the Lancashire Telegraph.

Midfielder Rothwell, whose contract expires in the summer, has been strongly linked with Cherries all month.

MLS outfit Chicago Fire were also reportedly keen on signing Rothwell.

The 27-year-old has been a key figure for Rovers this season, helping them up to second in the Championship table.

However, due to uncertainty surrounding his future, Rothwell was left out of the squad for Saturday's goalless draw at Luton.

Boss Tony Mowbray explained Rothwell was keen to speak to another club about a potential move, understood to have been Cherries.

However, the Lancashire Telegraph says Blackburn's owners Venky's have rejected a £3.5million from Cherries for the midfielder, who is now set to join training with the rest of his teammates this afternoon.

Cherries are however closing in on deals to sign both Siriki Dembele and Freddie Woodman, who are undergoing medicals at Vitality Stadium.

Kieffer Moore and Todd Cantwell have also been strongly linked with joining Cherries before tonight's 11pm deadline.

Follow all the deals as they happen in our live blog.