Dailly: On his way out (PhilCole/Allsport)

Harry Redknapp, who was in Spain on Sunday on a scouting mission to watch Real Mallorca play Osasuna in the Spanish League, rates the 27-year-old Dailly highly and was seriously considering making a firm bid.

The former Dundee United and Derby player was outstanding for Blackburn in the Worthington Cup tie at Upton Park earlier this season but is not a regular in Blackburn's first team.

Redknapp said: 'We desperately need another defender and I've always thought Christian is a good player.

'I've talked to Scotland manager Craig Brown about him and Craig also speaks highly of him. Blackburn want around £2.5m for Christian and it's a possibility we can do some business.'

First Division Blackburn signed Dailly from Derby for £5.3m but the Scottish central defender has not been able to tie down a regular first-team spot under manager Graeme Souness.

In fact, the defender's opportunities have become even rarer since Rovers took Henning Berg on loan from Manchester United.

Redknapp is one defender short following the £18m sale of Rio Ferdinand and is also without Javier Margas and Igor Stimac with long-term injuries.

Redknapp has been promised at least £12m to spend on strengthening his squad and his two priori-ties remain a central defender and a proven goal scorer.

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa emphasised Redknapp's need for a predatory striker.

West Ham had enough chances to win but Paolo Di Canio, Kaba Diawara and Frederic Kanoute were all guilty of missing good chances.

Michael Carrick struck with a fine effort from the edge of the box after 15 minutes.

But Villa, whose last five Premiership matches against the Hammers have all ended in draws, equalised through Lee Hendrie nine minutes before half-time.

Redknapp said: 'We missed a few opportunities and another goal would have finished them off.

'Overall though, we're doing well enough. We've won five and drawn the other two in our last seven Premiership matches and we would certainly have taken that a few weeks ago.'

Redknapp singled out new signing Rigobert Song for special praise. He said: 'Rigobert played well against Middlesbrough and he was outstanding against Villa. David Ginola isn't easy to play against but Rigobert was determined to come out on top and did so.'

West Ham, who have already played Walsall twice in the Worthington Cup this season, will meet them again in the third round of the FA Cup next month.