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No City bid for Santa
Blackburn Rovers, 17:43, January 1, 2009 ,
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has admitted Manchester City are keen on Roque Santa Cruz but says Rovers are yet to receive a bid.
Mega-rich City are expected to put forward a huge offer for the Paraguyan striker in January as Mark Hughes, who signed him on the cheap when he was at Ewood Park as manager, wants Santa Cruz to spearhead his attack in the second half of the season.
But Allardyce says the club are still waiting for an official offer from City although the Rovers chief admits they seem interested.
He told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "As far as we are concerned, there appears to be an interest from Manchester City, but there is no actual confirmed bid from them.
"We just continue trying to get him fit as quickly as possible and playing for us.
"It is reasonable to think we would expect to hear from them because Mark Hughes brought him to the club in the first place and he had a very good season and, if he is struggling for a striker, he is bound to be interested.
"But that interest can only be at the right price for Blackburn Rovers if we considered we wanted to sell him. At the moment, we have had nothing to consider anyway, so it is not an issue as far as we are concerned."
Allardyce appears frustrated that the former Bayern Munich man has made up his mind over his future and has his heart set on a move but he admits any possible deal could drag out over the coming few weeks.
"He wants to leave. He has said it, hasn't he?" Allardyce added. "But at the end of the day what he has said is okay, but he has signed a new contract in good faith only two months ago.
"I have only been here seven or eight days and he has only trained a little bit with us before he pulled his calf muscle, so he has not hung around to see if he likes me or not - he has just said he wants to leave.
"At the moment, it is in their hands to make their first approach. It will be speculated about until January is finished."