MARK Hughes wants urgent talks with Craig Bellamy in order to clarify the striker's position following fresh speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool over the weekend.

The Welsh international, who scored 17 goals in 32 appearances for Rovers last season, has emerged as a top target for Reds manager Rafa Benitez as he scours Europe for a proven strike-partner for Peter Crouch.

Benitez has been alerted to the fact that Bellamy does have a release clause in his contract, which allows him to speak to clubs in the Champions League if they lodge a bid over £6.5 million, and an offer from the Reds is now thought to be imminent after initial contact was made with Rovers over the weekend.

However, Hughes is still convinced he can keep hold of his star striker and the Rovers board are ready to pull out all the stops by making Bellamy the highest paid player in the club's history.

Rovers have already tried to re-negotiate Bellamy's contract since the end of the season by offering him a bumper new pay deal.

That offer remains on the table and Hughes is still hopeful he can persuade the Welshman to sign it, although he now faces a fight to keep hold of his top performer with Liverpool poised to test the water with a concrete offer.

Bellamy has repeatedly stressed he is happy at Blackburn, where Mark Hughes has successfully revived his career following a turbulent spell at Newcastle under Graeme Souness.

But the 26-year-old also grew up supporting Liverpool as a child and he has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League again, which means the opportunity to join the Reds would appeal to him.

In the past, Bellamy has denied suggestions that his contract contains a release clause, but the Evening Telegraph now understands that one definitely does exist.

Had that clause not been included in the initial deal, Bellamy would probably never have signed for Blackburn in the first place as five other clubs were also in for him at the time.

If the worst comes to the worst, and Bellamy does indicate he would be interested in joining Liverpool, assuming they trigger the clause, then Rovers would still stand to double their money on a player they paid less than £4 million for 12 months ago.