Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is planning a £10 million bid for Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch.

The Mirror says Allardyce has been chasing Crouch for years but has finally been given the chance to make a proper move for him as Tottenham and Manchester City push up the bidding for Roque Santa Cruz to £20 million.

The Rovers chief has already made initial soundings about Crouch and is looking at ways of landing him from cash-conscious Pompey and paying his king-size wages.

Crouch joined Portsmouth from Liverpool for £9 million but that was before owner Sacha Gaydamak decided to look for a new buyer and started selling players.

Allardyce wants to exploit this unique opportunity - with no rival bidders around either - and has now got extra potential funds as Spurs raise the bar in the race for Santa Cruz.