Allardyce ponders audacious move for Dutch hitman (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Allardyce ponders audacious move for Dutch hitman

10:00am Saturday 27th June 2009

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BLACKBURN Rovers boss Sam Allardyce admits he would be interested in Ruud van Nistelrooy if the Real Madrid striker was prepared to take a wage cut – but he has confirmed he will not be chasing Michael Owen or Kevin Davies.

Allardyce has made the acquisition of a proven goalscorer his top priority this summer following the departure of Roque Santa Cruz, who joined Manchester City earlier this week for a fee of around £17m.

Reports yesterday linked Rovers with a £4m move for promising Hibernian forward Steven Fletcher but that is not believed to be on the agenda.

Allardyce has built a reputation during his managerial career for attracting top names, capturing the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff at Bolton.

No enquiry has been made but Big Sam says he would be interested in van Nistelrooy if a financial deal could be worked out, although that appears unlikely given that the former Manchester United striker is renowned as one of the most prolific goalscorers in world football.

But it has been suggested that van Nistelrooy, 33 next week and on the way back from a serious knee injury, is surplus to requirements at Real Madrid. Tottenham and Fulham have already been linked.

“I think financially that would be pretty difficult for us to meet,” said Allardyce.

“I think that the sort of salary he would be earning at Real Madrid, unless Ruud wants to come and play in the Premier League again and wants to take less of a salary. Then I’d be interested.

“I wouldn’t be able to match his salary at Real Madrid, even if there was no fee involved.

“But, yes, it would be of interest to me, there’s no doubt about that.

“There’s nothing from my point of view that would say I wouldn’t want to talk to him if he wanted to come, but I’ve not enquired into that area.

“I think that would be some-thing of a major coup if you could do it, but very difficult.”

Allardyce has confirmed that chairman John Williams did make an enquiry about Davies but was told by Bolton that the former Rovers forward was not for sale.

“John told me on Thursday that Kevin Davies is not available,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned that is it.”

Rovers have also been linked with Michael Owen, who is out of contract at Newcastle.

Allardyce managed Owen at St James’ Park and was previously interested in signing him at Bolton, but the 29-year-old has suffered from persistent injury problems in recent years.

“For me, at this particular time, it’s not something I’d be particularly interested in,” said Allardyce.

“I couldn’t afford for Michael to pick up the injuries he picked up at Newcastle if I got him.

“I just think at the moment financially he might be out of reach for us but for me it’s not the ability, it’s just the problems he’s had with injuries.

“I need a striker that is going to be available for 30 games next season.”

Such is van Nistelrooy’s status, Allardyce’s comments about the Dutch international are likely to set tongues wagging in Blackburn.

Rovers legend Simon Garner was intrigued by the links and has urged the club to chance their arm if there is even the slightest hint of a deal being possible.

“Sam should go for it if he gets half a chance,” said Garner.

“Van Nistelrooy would be a great signing, although I can imagine wages might be problem.

“Sam is very clever in the transfer market and has got players in the past that you wouldn’t have expected him to get.

“I’m sure other clubs would come in for van Nistelrooy and he would probably want to keep his options open.”

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Robbie, Manchester says...
10:36am Sat 27 Jun 09

my only thoughts on this deal are..

he is 33, so he is getting on, he has had a few injurys recently.

i think we should go in and offer him 70/80k a week