• Premier League

Blackburn in Santa Cruz talks

Harry Harris, ESPNsoccernet
January 4, 2011
Roque Santa Cruz left Blackburn in 2009 © Getty Images
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Blackburn Rovers are in negotiations with Manchester City about bringing Roque Santa Cruz back to Ewood Park.

Santa Cruz enjoyed a hugely successful two-year spell at Blackburn, scoring 23 goals in 57 Premier League games before moving onto City in June 2009.

The Paraguayan marksman struggled to make an impact in his first season in Manchester, with Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor preferred by both Mark Hughes and his successor Roberto Mancini.

The arrival of Mario Balotelli and the return of Jo from loan have further restricted Santa Cruz's opportunities this term and, should he not play for City again, he will have made just eight starts for the club, scoring three goals.

Blackburn's proposed move for Santa Cruz, one of new manager Steve Kean's prime targets, is far more realistic than a move for Ronaldinho or David Beckham.

Those with inside knowledge of Blackburn's transfer policy have told ESPNsoccernet that AC Milan owe Ronaldinho several millions and, although he is negotiating a return to Brazil, there is a chance he might be forced back to the San Siro.

Blackburn's inexperienced new Indian owners, Venky's, have a major outlet in Brazil and it is there that representatives from their office had contact with the player's agent and brother Roberto de Assis.

Figures were discussed but, as it stands, no formal offer has been received by AC Milan from Blackburn and a Rovers source described a move for Ronaldinho as a "remote possibility".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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