Premier League - Allardyce: Santa Cruz worth £40m

Eurosport - Mon, 19 Jan 17:19:00 2009

Sam Allardyce has told Manchester City that they can sign Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz - for £40 million.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Blackburn Rovers Santa Cruz - 0

That is the price-tag Allardyce has placed on relegation from the Premier League, something he feels Rovers will avoid if they retain Santa Cruz's services.

Mark Hughes, the former Blackburn manager who is now in charge at Eastlands, is a long-time admirer of the Paraguayan striker having taken him to Ewood Park in 2007.

Since joining City, Hughes has had numerous bids for the former Bayern Munich man turned down, although he was widely expected to reunite with his ex-boss at some point this month.

Allardyce, however, clearly has other ideas.

"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 Rovers than the money, whoever might offer it.

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

When asked if he would be happy to take the £40m, Allardyce added: "I think I would, yes.

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

TeamTalk / Eurosport

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  1. I am an open-mineded single girl who love sports. I­ want to end my single life by meeting
    a guy who likes­ sports too. Let's mingle at the club ___ kISs M­ ill iona ireS Co m __

    From chdf3e36, on Tue 20 Jan 12:25PM

  2. I idolize him very much. Just saw him chatting with a­ girl at____Wealthy beauty co m_____. I am wondering­ what kind of relationship he is looking for on that­ site.

    From flyerdu2009, on Tue 20 Jan 10:12AM

  3. he is defo not worth that much money he is worth 40p­ not 40mill get right big sam

    From lee.childs2, on Tue 20 Jan 9:30AM

  4. Big Radish is spot on.....McCarthy and Roberts are­ scoring at the moment, but if one gets crocked,­ there's no proven replacement. Rocky didn't­ look like he was sulking on Saturday, and Big Sam­ doesn't look like he wants us­ relegated...............what can Rovers do with 40­ million at this time of the season?

    From go_on_brett, on Tue 20 Jan 7:39AM

  5. not necessarily a bad move my city, at least now they­ know no one will outbid them even if it means they risk­ paying too much.

    From shin, on Tue 20 Jan 6:24AM

  6. City have them selves to blame her Santa C, 40 mil. ­ they should chat to Liverpool i hear Keane is now­ valued at 1mill

    From Tim B, on Tue 20 Jan 3:28AM

  7. Oh good old Sam! :). just love this guy! If Citeh has­ money to burn, please do so! :D

    Arsenal has got some­ nice players as well! You can have Bendtner for 20 mil,­ a baragain! LOL

    From NothingMan, on Tue 20 Jan 3:28AM

  8. Man City dug their own grave and its ironic how a great­ business man is making such poor financial decisions­ running his new business, MAN. CITY FOOTBALL CLUB. But­ its human nature to show off all your cash. At least­ Abramovich treats Chelsea like a business and­ that's why Chelsea has been so successful since his­ arrival. That being said there's only one champion­ in manchester and that's UNITED!!!!!!

    From mathewdionyssiou, on Tue 20 Jan 3:21AM

  9. Manchester City are fast becoming a victim of their own­ recruitment polity..

    From mh_lionel, on Tue 20 Jan 2:59AM

  10. Now everyone will ask for more money when selling a­ player to City LOL

    From Ivson F, on Tue 20 Jan 2:37AM

  11. 22nd March 1986 :

    Aston Villa (0) 0 Birmingham City­ (2)3
    Clarke 2
    ­ Whitton

    A fantastic day for the city of Birmingham.

    From Kearney, on Tue 20 Jan 2:24AM

  12. Please buy me. I am worth $2.99million only. I can­ shoot with both legs and I have a hard tackle. Plus, my­ mum feeds me only pasta and vegetables; no beef and­ cheese.

    From Mega-Crazy, on Tue 20 Jan 1:33AM

  13. Omg if hes worth that much then im worth at­ least.....erm £5.49p, any buyers?

    From football_nutz, on Tue 20 Jan 12:26AM

  14. I am an open-mineded single girl who love sports. I­ want to end my single life by meeting
    a guy who likes­ sports too. Let's mingle at the club ___ kISs M­ ill iona ireS Co m __

    From cherrylr33ds, on Tue 20 Jan 12:24AM

  15. surely if he's worth 40 million then torres is­ worth 10 million,maybe 40 million if you throw in­ gerrard and keane

    From BFC, on Tue 20 Jan 12:12AM

  16. lot of respect for Sam but......40 mil ????- he­ obviously does not want to sell him, but if he wants to­ go he will just have pissed off his best player putting­ that kind of tag on him. Even City with all of­ Brwesters Millions wont entertain anything like that­ amount.

    From Brizzie Blue, on Tue 20 Jan 12:12AM

  17. sam allardyce talking @#$% that means torres is worth­ 120m easy

    From daniel_salisbury69, on Mon 19 Jan 11:58PM

  18. taking a big interest in city for a red!! MANCHESTER­ BLUE

    From Wulk Bogan, on Mon 19 Jan 10:19PM

  19. LMFAO, nice one big sam! city ur @#$%! UNITED!

    From anthony, on Mon 19 Jan 10:04PM

  20. haha now everyone wants to stitch up Man City and they­ are stupid enough to fall for it. I am prepared to sell­ them any of my Subbuteo players for £100,000 each..

    From allankidson, on Mon 19 Jan 9:56PM
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