Sam Allardyce ready for transfer window bargains

3:20pm Tuesday 30th December 2008

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By Andy Cryer »

LOVE it or hate it, Thursday’s reopening of the January transfer window is sure to raise the stakes in one the tightest Premier League relegation battles in history.

Unrealistic transfer targets, potential exits and big-money price tags leave fans throughout the country relishing the next month of fact and fiction, but for managers it invariably becomes a nightmare.

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is one who has already pinned his colours to the anti-window mast but, despite his ambivalence to the next month, he knows he will be in the thick of the action come the turn of the year.

Roque Santa Cruz’s ‘will he-won’t he’ transfer saga to Manchester City has some time to run yet while ‘Big Sam’ is already being lined up with numerous names himself to help preserve Rovers’ Premier League status.

No one will be surprised to see Allardyce linked with a host of his former charges but, while some could well end up at Ewood, there are many that need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Santa Cruz’s fate could have a huge say on any January wheeling and dealing at Rovers as, without the sizeable funds needed to lure him away from Rovers, Allardyce’s transfer budget is limited.

That will not stop him strengthening the squad though but, as the last three games have shown, minor tweaking is now needed rather than any dramatic changes that were feared necessary earlier this campaign.

Right wing and right back will top Allardyce’s wish-list while a creative central midfielder could also be a target with David Dunn continuing to be plagued by injury problems.

One of the more likely names that keeps cropping up is Sunderland attacker EL HADJI DIOUF, having fallen out of favour on Wearside and possibly available for no more than £2million.

Diouf flourished under Allardyce at Bolton and would bring an attacking flair to the side that is perhaps lacking at the moment.

He may share football’s popularity stakes with Joey Barton but all would quickly be forgiven if he helped spark a revival.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has already given the Senegalese international the green light to join up with Allardyce again if wanted and Diouf’s arrival would be no surprise come January, offering a range of attacking options.

Another Allardyce seems likely to attempt to lure to Rovers is another Bolton old boy, TAL BEN HAIM, who has fallen out of favour at Manchester City.

The 26-year-old Israeli can play at centre back and right back and Allardyce is a known admirer having previously attemped to take him to Newcastle in 2007.

Ben Haim’s arrival would give Andre Ooijer the chance to compete for his preferred centre back spot although, with his contract up at the end of the season, Rovers could opt to cash in on the Dutchman next month.

A Rovers return for Bolton targetman Kevin Davies seems more unlikely. The striker worked wonders for Allardyce but, having signed a contract until 2011, could be well out of Rovers’ reach.

Santa Cruz’s sale to Manchester City could change that though, freeing up the funds to replace the Paraguayan with Davies.

Wigan’s Ryan Taylor could prove a surprise target for Rovers, with him believed to be available for under £1million. Taylor could provide an option all down the right and will prove a January bargain for someone.

Rovers chairman John Williams is expecting to talk transfers with Allardyce at some point this week but his big problem could be persuading clubs to let their players join a relegation rival.

Interesting times ahead and don’t be surprised to see Allardyce again land a few bargains.