Espanyol line up ambitious loan deal for Manchester City striker Santa Cruz

Christmas may be over but Spanish side Espanyol are still hoping to get a visit from Santa.The La Liga side have stepped up their pursuit of out-of-favour Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz and hope to sort out aloan-deal before the January transfer window closes.Cruz has struggled with form and injuries since his £17.5millionmove to Eastlands last summer and has fallen behind Carlos Tevez,Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy in the City pecking order. Winter move: Espanyol want Manchester City striker Roque Santa CruzThe Paraguay international was held in high regard by former managerMark Hughes, who brought him to the Barclays Premier League as Blackburnmanager back in July 2007.But new boss Mancini could be prepared to let the 28-year-old leaveEastlands, after scoring just three goals since his mega-bucks summermove.And Cruz admitted a move away from City could be on the horizon: 'Myagents have received calls from other clubs asking about me,' Cruz said.  Veron sensation: United flop claims to have snubbed Manchester City Ivory Coast accuse Chelsea of treating striker Drogba like a 'machine'Chelsea and Manchester City target Ribery hints at new Bayern Munich dealMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail