1:10pm Thursday 9th July 2009
By Andy Cryer
WHILE Sam Allardyce’s striker search extends worldwide as he bids to find the ideal replacement for Roque Santa Cruz for the right money, his preference remains on adding ‘proven Premier League quality’.
With Peter Crouch and Ruud van Nistelrooy seemingly already out of Rovers’ reach and Bolton’s Kevin Davies ‘unavailable’, the task of finding such a quality is already proving tough.
Here, we take a look at some players with a Premier League track record who could still be on Sam Allardyce’s radar as well as one inexperienced striker who could be on his way.
Darren Bent
The former Charlton Athletic striker looks to be on his way out of White Hart Lane, with Sunderland reportedly the front runners for his signature.
Sam Allardyce though is a known admirer of Bent and is understood to be tracking the striker’s situation with interest, in the belief he could be the ideal Santa Cruz replacement.
Steve Bruce is believed to be confident Bent is his man for in the region of £10million but is reluctant to provide Spurs with the cash flow to sign some of their other targets.
Spurs and Sunderland are both believed to chasing Paraguayan international Paulo Da Silva, Manchester City’s Richard Dunne and Portsmouth’s Peter Crouch, with Bruce currently holding the upper hand in terms of financial clout.
Rovers do possess the cash to steal Bent from under the noses of Sunderland and it is understood his wage demands would also be within their reach.
Bent’s pace would be a useful addition to Rovers’ attacking options and, as a proven Premier League goal scorer, could be just the man Allardyce is looking for.
Kenwyne Jones
The giant Trinadadian would certainly tick a lot of boxes for Allardyce, with pace, power and an eye for goal all undoubted assets.
With Sunderland chasing both Darren Bent and Peter Crouch, could Jones be surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light? Unfortunately the answer would seem to be no and, even if he was, he would appear out of Rovers’ reach.
Sunderland turned down an £18million offer for Jones from Spurs in the last transfer window and now, with new owner Ellis Short boosting the Black Cat’s cash flow, would be unlikely to sell the striker for any less.
With new boss Steve Bruce relishing “shopping in Harrods rather than Tescos”, sources in the north east say he regards Jones as a jewel in their crown and would be unwilling to part with the ex-Southampton man.
Looks like another ‘no-go’ area for Allardyce.
Bobby Zamora
The striker would not be at the top of many Rovers’ fans wish-lists but he does possess ‘proven Premier League experience’ and has many attributes Allardyce is looking for.
Despite stating his desire to remain in West London at Fulham, Zamora could be available at the right price having had a troubled season in front of goal for the Cottagers last season.
Zamora has never been a prolific Premier League scorer, with his best spell in front of goal during his time at West Ham, but he would provide Rovers another option and would probably be available for around £6million.
James Beattie
IT is unclear whether the former Blackburn Rovers would even be available after an impressive spell at Stoke last season, but would surely fit the bill.
If Beattie, a Rovers fan, wanted to move to Ewood Park, Stoke would possibly be persuaded to sell for less than £8million as player power normally wins out.
Beattie is powerful old-fashioned centre forward and would suit Allardyce’s direct style of play and has the potential of providing an effective foil for Benni McCarthy.
Much would depend on Stoke’s own ambitions this season though over their willingness to let him go and his own plans.
Franco Di Santo
He may not possess ‘proven Premier League’ quality, but the Chelsea youngster is tipped by many to have the potential to ‘go all the way’.
Di Santo will tour America with Chelsea this summer but Rovers are believed to be favourites to land his signature on a season-long loan once they return.
The 20-year-old is a powerful striker with an eye for goal and would provide a good foil for any other senior striker Allardyce eventually manages to land.
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