MANCHESTER UNITED are planning to hit Blackburn
with a £15million bid for towering striker Roque Santa Cruz. Boss
Alex Ferguson has earmarked the Paraguay international as United’s
main summer signing.
Fergie sees Santa Cruz, 26, as the big man who
Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney can feed off. The United boss
has given up on Louis Saha playing that role after a succession of
injuries. The club is looking to sell.
Fergie has also had to give up on an audacious bid to
land Barcelona top scorer Thierry Henry, who was persuaded he still
has a major role to play at the Nou Camp. Rovers will be desperate
to keep their main striker. But with manager Mark Hughes on the way
to Manchester City they will struggle to hold their prize
asset.
Ferguson once said of Santa Cruz: “I’m not sure how
much he cost but he has proved great value.” The Paraguayan spent
eight years at Bayern but failed to make much impact scoring 31
goals in 155 appearances there.
His tally at Rovers in his first season in the
Premiership has been quite stunning with 23 goals in 42
appearances. He is on a four-year Blackburn contract worth around
£40,000 a week but United could double that.
Santa Cruz is also close friends with former Bayern
teammate and United midfielder Owen Hargreaves.
