Blackburn have confirmed they have turned down a bid, thought to be around £12m, from Barclays Premier League rivals Manchester City for striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The Paraguay international was Rovers top scorer last season and has been linked with a number of clubs this summer - including City's neighbours Manchester United.

'A bid came in last night and it was immediately rejected,' read a Blackburn statement.

'Various Manchester City officials have been advised on a number of occasions that the player would not be for sale.

'We are very disappointed, therefore, that they have continued their interest.'

Meanwhile, City boss Mark Hughes' plans for the new season were dealt a blow last night when Darius Vassell was ruled out for 10 weeks with a knee injury.

The Welshman moved quickly to remedy that problem by attempting to sign the man who scored 19 league goals for him last season while Hughes was manager at

Blackburn.

The fee City have offered is believed to be around the £12million mark - over £8.5 million more than Blackburn paid for his services when they signed him from Bayern Munich last summer.

Santa Cruz spent eight years at the German club and has scored 17 goals in the 53 international appearances he has made for Paraguay.