BLACKBURN Rovers are prepared to smash their transfer record in their search for a striker this summer – as they go increasingly cold on bringing Roque Santa Cruz back to Ewood Park.

Manchester City sources told the Lancashire Telegraph Rovers have made no contact with them about Santa Cruz’s availability since the end of the season as they set their sights on splashing the cash to solve their lack of fire power.

Freiburg’s Senegalese international Papiss Cisse is understood to still be a target, having been on Rovers’ radar for more than six months, but his agent insists no bid has yet been made.

Guido Nickolay yesterday admitted Rovers had watched Cisse in Bundesliga action a number of times last season but insisted he had so far had no contact and that an official bid had not been received by Freiburg.

He said: “Blackburn watched him about 10 times last season and I have seen the scout. But as yet we have not heard anything official.

“Of course Papiss would like the chance in the Premier League. There are clubs interested in him so anything is possible at the moment.

“Clubs from abroad have made bids for him but so far no English clubs have.”

Cisse, 25, scored 22 goals in Germany’s top flight last season and, contracted until 2014, it would cost in the region of £13m to land him.

Rovers have also targeted Roma striker Mirko Vucinic this summer but have all but given up hope in their pursuit of the Montenegrin with a number of top European clubs leading the way.

It is understood Rovers boss Steve Kean has several other striking options available to him and club sources expect their final solution to cost significantly more than the £8million paid for Andy Cole back in December 2001.

Kean is also working hard to strengthen his midfield with Jermaine Jones a top target after impressing in the centre during his loan spell from Schalke last season.

Roma though are challenging Rovers for his signature and Schalke are understood to be wanting a high fee for the American international.

Reports in Spain claim Espanyol £7million-rated play maker Javi Marquez is also on Kean’s potential wish list along with free agent left winger Vicente Rodriguez, although Rovers have declined to comment.

Russian defender Aleksandr Anyukov is another player Kean is understood to be tracking as the Rovers boss continues to weigh up his options.

Paraguayan striker Santa Cruz remains a possibility for Rovers although it is understood he is not thought of as an immediate priority as they pursue other targets.

Kean could yet be tempted should Manchester City drop their asking price for the striker, which they may be forced to do having received no official interest yet this summer.