ARSENAL TALK: Gunners will have to battle United for striker (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

ARSENAL TALK: Gunners will have to battle United for striker

8:38am Sunday 22nd June 2008 in Sport

ARSENAL face a tug-of-war battle with Manchester United for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz according to media reports.

The Mail on Sunday says the Gunners are favourites to land the Paraguay striker, but will need to meet the Ewood Park clubs fee.

Santa Cruz, who proved a big hit last season for Blackburn following his £3.7million move from Bayern Munich, could now fetch as much as £12million.

But if Arsenal cash-in on Emmanuel Adebayor for a reported £25million, they would have the financial muscle to easily meet that fee.

But United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wont give up easy on one of his summer targets, and could scupper the Gunners plans should he choose to step up his own interest.

Speculation surrounding Santa Cruz's future at Ewood Park has only been heightened this summer following the departure of manager Mark Hughes to Manchester City.