Real Madrid make £18million move for Blackburn star Roque Santa Cruz - Exclusive

Roque Santa cruz (Pic: Getty Images)

Sam Allardyce has been dealt a fresh blow in his battle to keep Roque Santa Cruz by Real Madrid making an £18m move for the Blackburn striker.

Rovers boss Allardyce has insisted he does not have to sell and taunted Manchester City by saying they are not a big enough club and even their wealthy Arab owners cannot afford Santa Cruz.

City chief Mark Hughes, Santa Cruz's former boss at Ewood Park, was confident of landing him in January.

But Real Madrid's interest in the Paraguay forward is likely to scupper his plans.

Santa Cruz, 27, has made it clear he wants to move and Real last week beat City to the signature of France midfielder Lasanna Diarra, who makes an £18.8m switch from Portsmouth to the Bernabeu next month.

Santa Cruz is aware of the Spanish club's interest and comes with the bonus of being eligible to play in the Champions League.

Madrid have already paid £23m to take Klaas Jan Huntelaar from Ajax but still want another striker.

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