Blackburn Rovers are to beat Premier League rivals Fulham to the signature of midfielder Vince Grella from Serie A side Torino, according to Setanta Sports.

It is understood that Rovers are close to agreeing a £4million (€5.1m) deal to bring the Australian International to Ewood Park from the Granata. With the two clubs agrreing on the fee on Monday.

28-year-old Grella joined Torino from Parma in 2007, with the defensive-midfielder having previously been linked with a move to Craven Cottage in West London, but it now seems that Fulham manager Roy Hodgson will miss out on Grella to Rovers.

Grella is due to play for Australia against South Africa this week at QPR’s ground Loftus Road. With the midfielder understood to be meeting with Blackburn boss Paul Ince in London to finalise personal terms for his move to the Premiership.

Torino are believed to want to use the funds from the transfer of Grella to make an offer for Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi, who endured a torrid first season in the Premiership and would welcome a return to Serie A.