|
|
Manchester City willing to offload striker Roque Santa Cruz to West Ham United for £8.5m
Hammers make approach for ex-Blackburn forward...
16 Aug 2010 11:40:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Chief correspondent
Manchester City are ready to offload Roque Santa Cruz to West Ham United as they trim their bloated squad ahead of the Premier League's 25-man squad deadline.
The Hammers are desperate for a striker and have approached City over an £8.5million move for the Paraguayan frontman, who is also a prime target for Fulham boss Mark Hughes.
City are eager to cut their squad by six players in order to comply with new Premier League rules that mean clubs can only register a maximum of 25 senior players.
Santa Cruz, who is 29 today, is believed to fear for his place in Roberto Mancini’s squad and wants a fresh start following an injury-plagued year at Eastlands.
The former Bayern Munich frontman would prefer to re-unite with Fulham boss Mark Hughes, who has signed him twice as manager of Blackburn Rovers and City. But Hughes is working under considerable financial constraints at Fulham, with the Cottagers only able to afford a loan deal and reported wages of £90,000-a-week a massive stumbling block.
City would rather cut their losses by agreeing a permanent transfer for the player, who cost £17.5m when he signed from Blackburn last June.
West Ham boss Avram Grant has the money to meet City’s demands and has declared his interest, after being thwarted so far in his attempts over the summer to sign a physical forward who can lead the line.
"A move to West Ham would be the best scenario for everyone," said an insider. "City get the player off their squadlist and some return on their investment, while West Ham get the goalscorer they are desperate for."
Yakubu remains a target for the Londoners, but the club are refusing to meet Everton’s £8m asking price for the 27-year-old. Grant’s need for a striker could become even more pressing should England international Carlton Cole – most recently linked with Liverpool – leave Upton Park.
West Ham are hoping that Santa Cruz can rediscover the form that made him a revelation at Blackburn following his £3.5m move from Bayern Munich three years ago.
Santa Cruz, who played for Paraguay at the World Cup, made just 22 appearances for the Citizens last season and scored only four goals as he struggled to regain his form after battling with a recurring knee injury.
He is just one of a number of star names who find themselves on the fringes of Roberto Mancini’s squad following this summer's £100m spending spree.
Mancini has over 40 players in his squad and the Italian faces a tough task to prevent major disruption in the dressing room if he does not offload a number of players before the 25-man squad deadline on September 1.
Goalkeeper Shay Given’s future is in doubt after Joe Hart was chosen ahead of him in Saturday’s goalless draw at Tottenham, while Stephen Ireland – City’s player of the year in the 2008-09 season – is expected to join Aston Villa as part of the deal to sign James Milner.
Craig Bellamy could join Cardiff on loan and speculation surrounds Wayne Bridge, who was omitted from the squad to face Spurs.
The Citizens also still have Robinho on their books and the Brazilian looks set to join Turkish side Fenerbahce for £19m, a huge loss on the British record £32.5m the club paid for him in 2008.
By Wayne Veysey | Chief correspondent
Manchester City are ready to offload Roque Santa Cruz to West Ham United as they trim their bloated squad ahead of the Premier League's 25-man squad deadline.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The Hammers are desperate for a striker and have approached City over an £8.5million move for the Paraguayan frontman, who is also a prime target for Fulham boss Mark Hughes.
City are eager to cut their squad by six players in order to comply with new Premier League rules that mean clubs can only register a maximum of 25 senior players.
Santa Cruz, who is 29 today, is believed to fear for his place in Roberto Mancini’s squad and wants a fresh start following an injury-plagued year at Eastlands.
The former Bayern Munich frontman would prefer to re-unite with Fulham boss Mark Hughes, who has signed him twice as manager of Blackburn Rovers and City. But Hughes is working under considerable financial constraints at Fulham, with the Cottagers only able to afford a loan deal and reported wages of £90,000-a-week a massive stumbling block.
City would rather cut their losses by agreeing a permanent transfer for the player, who cost £17.5m when he signed from Blackburn last June.
West Ham boss Avram Grant has the money to meet City’s demands and has declared his interest, after being thwarted so far in his attempts over the summer to sign a physical forward who can lead the line.
"A move to West Ham would be the best scenario for everyone," said an insider. "City get the player off their squadlist and some return on their investment, while West Ham get the goalscorer they are desperate for."
Yakubu remains a target for the Londoners, but the club are refusing to meet Everton’s £8m asking price for the 27-year-old. Grant’s need for a striker could become even more pressing should England international Carlton Cole – most recently linked with Liverpool – leave Upton Park.
West Ham are hoping that Santa Cruz can rediscover the form that made him a revelation at Blackburn following his £3.5m move from Bayern Munich three years ago.
Santa Cruz, who played for Paraguay at the World Cup, made just 22 appearances for the Citizens last season and scored only four goals as he struggled to regain his form after battling with a recurring knee injury.
He is just one of a number of star names who find themselves on the fringes of Roberto Mancini’s squad following this summer's £100m spending spree.
Mancini has over 40 players in his squad and the Italian faces a tough task to prevent major disruption in the dressing room if he does not offload a number of players before the 25-man squad deadline on September 1.
Goalkeeper Shay Given’s future is in doubt after Joe Hart was chosen ahead of him in Saturday’s goalless draw at Tottenham, while Stephen Ireland – City’s player of the year in the 2008-09 season – is expected to join Aston Villa as part of the deal to sign James Milner.
Craig Bellamy could join Cardiff on loan and speculation surrounds Wayne Bridge, who was omitted from the squad to face Spurs.
The Citizens also still have Robinho on their books and the Brazilian looks set to join Turkish side Fenerbahce for £19m, a huge loss on the British record £32.5m the club paid for him in 2008.
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
