Roque Santa Cruz refused to slap in a transfer request at Blackburn Rovers last month, it has been revealed.

The People says insiders reveal that Santa Cruz's agent was pushing hard for the Manchester City move on the deadline day, but the striker did not back him by demanding a transfer.

Santa Cruz revealed he only stayed in the last window because Rovers were in trouble and could not find the right replacement.

He said: "I felt I needed to give back the club everything they gave me. Being threatened by relegation stopped me moving."