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

The Mirror has reported that bagging Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz is now Manchester City’s top summer priority…

Mark Hughes spoke proundly last term about his bargain signing £3.5m Roque Santa Cruz, insisting that he represented better value for money than another Premiership new-boy, Liverpool’s Fernando Torres.

Recently, Hughes has been tipped to swoop for his star pupil as he looks to bolster his frontline at new club Manchester City.

The Paraguay international was prolific last season, netting 19 goals in a Rovers shirt, attracting the attention of bigger clubs.

With the new Premiership season fast approaching, though, Santa Cruz remains a Rover, much to the delight of new Ewood gaffer Paul Ince.

However, The Mirror now understands that Hughes has told the City bigwigs that he intends to step up his pursuit of the 26-year-old hitman, making him his top reansfer priority this summer.

Speaking to La Nacion recently about a proposed £15m move, the forward refused to rule out an Eastlands switch, saying: “It would represent good money for the club when you look at what they paid for me.”

Hughes updated City executive Garry Cook on his targets at the weekend whilst in Germany. Sources suggest that Santa Cruz is feeling unsettled by the recent speculation and will instruct his agent to sort out his future one way or the other.

Ref From Liam Black, Goal.com