Manchester City boss Mark Hughes appears determined to sign former striker Roque Santa Cruz according to a report in the News of the World.

Hughes signed the Paraguayan international from Bayern Munich last season in a deal that was widely considered to be the coup of the season after the striker hit 19 goals in his first season in the Premier League.

The striker’s excellent form has led to speculation that a host of top clubs are now interested in signing the striker, including champions Manchester United.

Whilst a number of Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for Santa Cruz, the News of the World claims that Mark Hughes is desperate to sign the man he originally brought to the Premier League.

The paper claims that Manchester City will offer Blackburn a massive £12 million for the striker although it also suggests that Rovers will accept nothing less than £15 million for Santa Cruz.

After missing out on Ronaldinho, City may well have the funds to spend big on a striker. They have already signed Jo from CSKA Moscow, who has become the club’s record signing and have plenty of other options in attack with Bojinov, Benjani and Vassell all at the club.

As for Santa Cruz, he picked up an injury yesterday in the club’s pre-season match against Championship side Wolves. Despite scoring in Blackburn’s 4-2 defeat, he was taken off although the injury isn’t thought to be serious and he should be fit for the start of the season.

Ref From Gill Clark - goal.com

VfB Stuttgart have confirmed that they turned down a Bundesliga record bid of €25 million from Bayern Munich for star striker Mario Gomez…

The powerful striker has had sensational back-to-back seasons with Stuttgart and has been linked with clubs all around Europe, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan and Roma.

However, a poor Euro 2008 - his first showing on the big stage - cooled much interest from around Europe, but Bayern Munich remained in the hunt to lure yet another striker to the Allianz Arena, where they already have Lucas Podolski, Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose.

Bayern have inisted that they are not yet out of the hunt and will swoop for Super Mario next year. Stuttgart, meanwhile, are satisfied to have maintained their stance.

“We didn’t want any team’s money,” said Stuttgart manager Horst Heldt. “We wanted to keep Germany’s player of the year.”

Ref From Hans Schmidt, Goal.com

Eintracht Frankfurt have been unsuccessful in a bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Andreas Ottl.

Eintracht Frankfurt chairman Heribert Bruchhagen has revealed that the Adler have been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Andreas Ottl from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Having enquired about the availability of Ottl, Frankfurt were told that the midfielder was not for sale at any price.

“We really wanted Andreas Ottl from Bayern and have tried to get him twice, but our bids have been turned down” Bruchhagen said.

The Frankfurt supremo has now turned his attention to other targets after being asked by trainer Friedhelm Funkel to provide him with one more midfielder.

“I have told Mr. Bruchhagen my wish to have a potent all-rounder who can push forward out of defensive situations” Funkel said after his side’s 2-0 win over Wigan on Tuesday.

Ottl managed 19 appearances for Bayern last season, mostly as a substitute but managed three goals in the process.

Ref From Mathew Burt - goal.com