Trio of bids rejected

Blackburn have rejected a bid in excess of £12m from Manchester City for striker Roque Santa Cruz.

City manager Mark Hughes said he is still keen to sign the 27-year-old Paraguay international, who signed a new contract at Rovers in August.

"We made a bid in the region of £12m in the summer and it (the new bid) is significantly higher than that."

>>bbc sport.

Blackburn also confirmed this on their site, and in addition it seems that our double bid for Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy was rejected by West Ham:

"It's documented that we made an enquiry about Bellamy as well (as Parker). We made a double bid and that was rejected - we haven't gone back to the table but we may well do."

It's probably not a huge surprise initial bids for these players have been turned down, given that clubs will surely be trying to squeeze as much out of us as possible given our financial position. I have no doubt that should Hughes want these players badly enough, then he will go back with an improved bid (as he confirmed in respect of Santa Cruz).

What is a little concerning though is these transfers are now being played out in public. There was plenty of concern at the lack of impact being made in the transfer market this January, so is it the case that Hughes has issued this statement as a way of quelling the growing frustration?

Either way, it is not good practice to conduct transfers in such a way and they inevitably do become drawn out affairs which indicate it could be towards the latter part of the window that deals are concluded.

Far better to keep all negotiations and progress behind closed doors and only confirm transfers as and when they have been completed.

Previous posts:

• Roque Santa Cruz
• Scott Parker
• Craig Bellamy

Johnson set for exit?

Nothing firm, but a report last night suggests the midfielder could be heading out of the club.

The Times's 'window watch' speculates he could be part of a deal to bring Scott Parker to the club:

West Ham United were in talks last night to sell Matthew Etherington to Stoke City and are considering Manchester City’s revised offer for Scott Parker, which includes Michael Johnson moving in the opposite direction.

City have offered about £4 million plus the England Under-21 midfield player, who signed a new five-year contract in September, when he was attracting interest from Everton and Arsenal. Johnson, 20, gained recognition for the form that he showed at the start of last season but a pelvic injury has restricted him to eight appearances this campaign. West Ham turned down City’s initial £15 million combined bid for Parker and Craig Bellamy last week.

Given that the Johnson (along with Petrov of course) is a key component from the success of last season that we are sorely missing this time around, such a move would represent terrible business and I imagine not do Hughes any favours whatsoever with the majority of fans.

He is a huge talent and that role bridging the defensive midfield (Kompany) and attacking aspects (Ireland, Wright-Phillips) is precisely the player that we actually need, rather than be looking to ship out.

There have been plenty of whispers about Johnson's off-field 'activities', but given he is just 20 years old with a potentially big career in front of him, to give him away plus £4 million for Scott Parker (as useful a signing as he would be) would be folly - not to mention a very risky move from Hughes, who, with the lack of additions so far this window is seeing opinion against him increase further.

Senna cool on move, Hughes targeting Parker?

"I don't know anything about a transfer to Manchester City," he told the Spanish sports paper Marca. "I have only read the same stories that you have and I have no idea where these stories have come from. Everyone in football knows how much money Manchester City have but all I can say is that I want to concentrate on Villarreal and do the best I can for the team. What I can tell you is that what I have read about me going to Manchester City has surprised me."

>>guardian.co.uk

Given Villareal are heavily involved both in La Liga and Champions League contention, Senna's reluctance to move at this stage is understandable, but by doing so could miss out on a move altogether if Hughes focuses on alternative targets.

This perhaps makes a move for Scott Parker more likely with The Times reporting news of an increased bid from ourselves. Given news this morning regarding West Ham's financial problems and announcement they would consider offers for players then it is not hard to deduce that if Hughes wants Parker, the chances are high that he will land him.

Would Parker be a good fit for what Hughes is looking to build though? He is a useful player, neat and tidy but for me, not physical or dynamic enough to fit into the midfield Hughes is looking to build behind the attacking threat we possess - although on the plus side, he is familiar with the Premier League which appears to be a point Hughes is placing a degree of emphasis on.

Bid for Hammers pair?

West Ham United have rejected a £15m bid from Manchester City to sign both Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker. The Premier League club insist that neither player is for sale and have also moved to hold talks with Matthew Upson's representatives to spell out their intention to hold on to the England international who is also attracting intense interest with the transfer window set to open.

>>independent.co.uk

How reliable the story is we don't know, but the name of Bellamy is not a surprise given the speculation that has surrounded him. As one of the comments in the Blackburn thread mentioned, he was also left out of yesterdays victory over Stoke (after returning to goalscoring form the day before). UPDATE - He didn't play due to suspension.

I really don't see how Bellamy improves our line up. If Hughes continues with the 4-2-3-1 line-up I just don't see where he fits in. He cannot operate as a lone striker, but perhaps Hughes is looking at playing him in a wider role?

Something else to bear in mind is the return of Bojinov. Hopefully injury free, playing in a similar role to that of Bellamy, he is a far better option.

Parker is an interesting one. We do need to upgrade that defensive midfield area and Parker is a useful player. He gets the job done and appears to have rebuilt his career somewhat after spells at Chelsea and Newcastle. If we cannot grab Marcos Senna, then he may well be a useful pick up.