Blackburn Rovers FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Steve Kean

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Sam puts hefty tag on Roque

19 Jan 2009 - 15:51:59

Click To Enlarge

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce expects Roque Santa Cruz to remain at Ewood Park until at least the end of the season unless suitors Manchester City stump up with £40million for the striker.

Santa Cruz is wanted by former Rovers boss Mark Hughes at his new club, but City have so far failed with two bids for the Paraguay striker.

Allardyce estimates the cost of relegation would be around £40million to his club so is not looking to sell the former Bayern Munich.

"The bottom line is we don't want to sell Roque Santa Cruz," Allardyce told talkSPORT.

"For me, we won't be selling Roque Santa Cruz, that's a certainty.

"The money is no good to me at this stage of the season. Roque Santa Cruz is more valuable to me and more valuable to Blackburn than the money, whoever might offer.

"There's £40million at stake (to remain) in the Premier League per year and I don't think anyone is going to offer us £40million for Roque Santa Cruz."

However, Allardyce did concede that he may be forced to change his mind should City return with a bid of £40million.

"I think I'd have to (take it)," he admitted. "I don't think the board would take too kindly to me saying 'No, I'm still not taking that'."