BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes reckons Roque Santa Cruz could turn out to be one of the bargains of the season.

In a summer of record spending in the Premiership, Hughes was today on the verge of making his most expensive signing since becoming Rovers' manager after agreeing to pay Bayern Munich a fee in the region of £3.8 million for the highly-rated Santa Cruz.

However, the Ewood chief believes that will prove to be exceptional' business if the 25-year-old Paraguayan rediscovers the kind of form that once made him one of football's hottest properties.

"I think it's a great bit of business," said Hughes, whose previous record buy was Craig Bellamy, who cost £3.75 million from Newcastle two years ago.

"He's a 25-year-old international striker who has played at one of the top European clubs for a good number of years.

"To get that quality through the door, in comparison to other deals being done this summer, makes it an exceptional deal."

Hughes made the recruitment of a proven striker his number one priority at the beginning of the summer, and he was genuinely excited to finally get his man last night - subject to the usual paperwork - following a medical and a day of talks at Ewood.

Santa Cruz, who will sign a four-year deal, had been on Rovers' radar for a while so, once it became clear he was surplus to requirements at Bayern, Hughes had no hesitation in making his move for a player who was widely regarded as one of the most exciting strikers in world football when he broke into the Paraguay team at the age of 17.

The big money arrivals of Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose at Bayern earlier this summer effectively spelled the end for Santa Cruz in Germany, but Hughes is convinced Chico' can recapture his best form in the Premiership, and also provide Rovers with an extra threat in the air.

The Rovers chief said: "He's been at Bayern a good number of years and, on occasions, his progress has been hampered by injuries.

"When he was getting a foothold in the side, he then went out with an injury, so it was stop start for him.

"But you don't stay at a club like Bayern for as long as he did without having great ability.

"I think towards the end, for maybe the last 18 months or so, he became frustrated by the fact he wasn't able to get a regular place in the side.

"He'd be in for one or two games then he'd go out of the side again, and it's difficult for a striker in that situation.

"I know from my own experience certain players need to play week in, week out to get a good run of form."

Hughes insists Santa Cruz has been brought in to supplement the leading strikers he already has at the club, and not to replace any of them.

However, his imminent arrival could yet have implications for some of the players on the fringes of the first team squad.

Hinting at possible outgoings, Hughes added: "Possibly that could happen, but I am quite happy with the options I have.

"I am looking to supplement the qualities of the strikers we have here.

"You have to have depth and quality to cope with the demands of a long season."