EXCLUSIVE Blackburn Rovers will have the final say on Roque Santa Cruz’s Ewood Park future despite reports the striker has an £18million release clause.

The Lancashire Telegraph can reveal – contrary to a claim in a Sunday newspaper – there is NO clause in the Paraguayan’s contract giving him licence to leave before his four-year deal expires in 2012 – if bids exceed a certain amount.

Rumours of Manchester City’s interest in Rovers’ talisman continue to circulate but the striker will only leave Ewood on the club’s terms.

Talk of his exit seem premature anyway with Santa Cruz again insisting he is happy where he is, this time to Paraguayan newspaper ABC Color.

The striker, who missed Saturday’s goalless draw at Bolton through injury, insisted he is not actively searching for a move away after his agent told the Lancashire Telegraph similar early last week.