Blackburn Rovers are ready to open new contract talks with wing ace Morten Gamst Pedersen.

The Sun says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is willing to pay around £8million for the Norwegian winger, 25.

But Rovers rate Pedersen at around double that and are desperate to keep him. He has three years left on his current contract, which he only signed last summer.

But they are willing to open talks over a improved deal.

Pedersen joined Blackburn from Tromso for just £1.5m three years ago.