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Santa yet to attract bids

No moves for Rovers striker

By Chris Burton Last updated: 7th January 2009

Santa Cruz: Centre of speculation

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Blackburn chairman John Williams has reiterated that the club are yet to receive an approach for Roque Santa Cruz.

The Paraguay international has been at the centre of ever-growing speculation in recent weeks, with his Ewood Park future regularly called into question.

Manchester City are believed to be preparing a big-money move for the talented striker, with former Rovers boss Mark Hughes now in charge at Eastlands.

However, for all the talk, the Blues have yet to make a formal bid and Williams insists the ongoing saga will not be allowed to divert attention away from the important business of securing Premier League survival.

"The Santa Cruz situation continues to hang over our heads, but as I keep saying we have had no bids at the moment so there is nothing to discuss," he said in the Lancashire Telegraph.

"Our focus has to be our next game at Fulham (on Saturday) and the 17 games after that.

"We know we are in a fight but our immediate focus is on getting people fit."

Considered

Meanwhile, Williams also confirmed that the club are closing in on a transfer target of their own.

He conceded that a bid is imminent, with speculation suggesting the unnamed player is likely to be Sunderland forward El Hadji Diouf - a man who worked under Rovers boss Sam Allardyce during their time together at Bolton.

"There is one player we have moved on," said Williams.

"I would say we are very close to making a bid for one player but I would again stress there is no emergency.

"Sam has had a very considered look at what we have got though and we think it would take a good player to improve on what we already have at the club.

"He is not taking a scatter gun approach to the transfer window and I would stress at the moment there have been no bids made or received."