Blackburn Rovers are expected to sell Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City on Monday in a £17 million deal.

The Lancashire Telegraph says the Paraguayan striker is away on holiday but, upon his return to England this weekend, he will undergo a medical at Eastlands before teaming up with his old boss Mark Hughes.

It will finally bring to an end a transfer saga that has lasted almost 12 months - with Hughes keen to capture Santa Cruz ever since he took over the City hot-seat last summer.

The South American's departure will equal Blackburn's record transfer sale of midfielder David Bentley, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 for £17m.

Rovers will receive an initial £15m for the 27-year-old, and it is believed that they will comfortably pick up a further £2m in add-ons.