9:10am Friday 10th July 2009
By Andy Cryer
SAM Allardyce insists Blackburn Rovers have to be ready for the unexpected as he urges the club’s board to help him ‘seize any golden opportunities’.
The Rovers boss’s £13million transfer kitty is expected to be needed in his search for Roque Santa Cruz’s replacement but he has stressed the importance of being ready for anyone.
While a new striker is obviously Allardyce’s priority, he has revealed the search continues for fresh blood in other positions and believes there could be some ‘last minute gems’ on the market.
Allardyce has already admitted most of his remaining budget will have to be spent on increasing his team’s firepower, leaving him needing to trade to recruit elsewhere, but hasn’t ruled out pleading for more cash if the need be.
He insists it is impossible to know exactly what areas of the squad will be strengthened this summer after admitting sometimes opportunities arise you can’t afford to turn down.
He said: “What I have to convince this club to do is when that person arrives to take it irrespective of whatever position we are in, we just take it.
“Because sometimes the one opportunity comes your way and it is a golden opportunity.
"You haven’t planned for it, you don’t know it is round the corner but all of a sudden if appears.
“It is a shame if you can’t take it for whatever reason because it could be a quality player when it comes around.
“We know though we need to bolster the front line and the squad in general.
"In the end quality is one of the most important things we are looking for and that is why it becomes so very difficult but I think we will be successful in the end.”
Allardyce’s striker search is continuing to frustrate for a variety of reasons, but the Rovers boss remains confident it will end in success for the Ewood Park outfit.
He claims Rovers have got plenty of selling points, despite their limited budget, and insists he will eventually attract the right men to East Lancashire.
“We would try to bring them to the training ground first because as soon as they walk through this door, there are not many places better than this in Europe,” he said.
“I think that in itself is a great selling point for this football club.
"I think the next one is the Premier League. It is the best league in the world - no doubt about that.
“It is the most watched league in the world, it gives you the biggest profile in the world and a player loves a nice profile, well most do.
“Then myself as a manager. I am telling them how much they are going to enjoy working for this football club and how much they are going to enjoy playing their football here.
“While it might not be the biggest club they have played for, they will have as good a time here as anywhere else and if that is the case we will be very successful together.”
Tottenham’s Darren Bent is still believed to be on Allardyce’s wish-list although they are growing increasing fearful Sunderland’s interest could price them out of the chase.
Sunderland front man Kenwyne Jones was also linked with Rovers in the national media yesterday, although it is understood Rovers have so far not made any enquiries about the striker.
Jones would fit the bill in terms of what Allardyce is looking for though and should Sunderland indicate a willingness to sell, Allardyce would be interested in making his interest known.
The Rovers boss said: “We have accumulated lots of prices in and around what players might cost, in terms of salaries, transfer fees, agent fees etc.
"When we have got that broad based figure then we start making one or two more serious enquiries into the player and the club he is at.
"Then we move it on from there.
“I generally get about 95 per cent rejection and five per cent successes.
"That is the norm. I think that eventually when you are serious enough and determined enough in pushing the profile of the club and the Premier League we will be successful as quick as we possibly can.
“Sometimes it takes longer than we want though. For instance, I spoke to Nicholas Anelka on May 20 and he signed on August 28.
"Negotiations are always long and arduous and tedious and that is why I am glad I leave that to John Williams.”
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