French club Marseille are believed to be ready to swoop for Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The Paraguay international struggled for form and fitness at Eastlands last term and hardly featured after Roberto Mancini took over from Mark Hughes indicating he is not wanted by the Italian.

City paid Blackburn Rovers £17.5million for Santa Cruz last summer but the club is reportedly ready to rid themselves of him and French champions Marseille are set to pounce.

But manager Didier Deschamps only has a budget of £14million to add to his squad that will compete in the Champions League next season.