McCarthy & Sokota heading to Blackburn?
 

Rovers back in for Croat
skysports

Blackburn Rovers have made an offer to Croatian striker Tomislav Sokota.

Rovers made a move for him in January, so it was widely expected that they would come back for him as he is out of contract at the end of the season.

Sokota, who bagged 11 goals last season, was recently dropped to Benfica's B side after he failed to discuss a new deal.

Arch-rivals Porto are also very keen, but Blackburn are hoping to persuade him that a move to The Premiership would be his best option.

Malaga are also eyeing a move for Sokota - who says he will not discuss his future until the end of the season.

"I am not preoccupied with my future," said Sokota.

However, the striker did admit his liking for The Premiership - saying: "It is a wonderful championship."

Rovers chief Mark Hughes has already highlighted his need for new strikers and his scouts have been busy in Portugal - enquiring about Sokota and Porto's Benni McCarthy.

The South African, unlike Sokota, is under contract and may cost up to £5 million.

Hughes is also keen on Craig Bellamy and will likely move for the Welshman or McCarthy, and not both - although Sokota would be welcomed no matter what due to his Bosman status.

looks like Sokota will be jobless...too many rumours..no real bids

take em both

I hope they give more then 5mil for McCarthy.

Rovers step up chase
 

Rovers step up chase
skysports

Benni McCarthy is understood to be very high on Blackburn Rovers' list of potential summer signings.

Rovers have been scouting vigorously over the last few weeks, mainly in search of new strikers.

Benfica's Tomislav Sokota has emerged as a target and Rovers have made a move for him on a Bosman transfer.

McCarthy is now an option for Mark Hughes, along with Craig Bellamy - who will be departing Newcastle in the summer.

The player's agent Rob Moore insisted that his client was concentrating on the rest of the season in Portugal.

"We don't want to comment on that at the moment," he said.
"We know clubs have watched and Blackburn have an interest.

"But Benni playing well for the rest of the season is the important thing right now and we will look at everything at the end of the season."

Everton, Birmingham and Newcastle are also keeping close tabs on McCarthy and could rival Blackburn should any bid be launched.

Blackburn were also linked with a move for McCarthy's South African team-mate Delron Buckley - also one of Moore's charges.

However, Moore revealed that a deal was never really in the offing.

"There was an interest from Blackburn, but he was not the type of striker they were looking for and now he has signed for Dortmund," he said.

"It was never a case of anyone rejecting anything and it worked out fine for everyone."

Blackburn are ready to make room for at least two strikers with some of their own departures, including Jon Stead who has already been targeted by newly promoted Sunderland.

I can't believe you Tripeiros don't like MacCarthy, and i also can't believe he prefers Blackburn to Porto(what a dumbass...).

McCarthy is unreliable thats why. Would you like mantorras if he ahd got so many suspensiosn and cost the team so many points this year?

Blackburn=EPL
Porto=Superliga

EPL>>>>Superliga
thats the way he sees it in his dumb little head

he thinks he wil got to blackburn, be a star and then maybe Chelsea or Man U will buy him :laugh

he will go to blackburn and keep the bench warm :laugh

Porto=Europe
Blackburn=mid-table or worse, thats the reality

he'll go to blackburn and they'll be relegated and he'll start beating up players in the 2nd league.

I'd like to see him try to go to Millwall FC and start a fight :laugh

he would go home in a coffin :laugh

i believe that blackburn wont have money to buy and keep mccarthy but sokota on the other hand i believe they can keep him IMO

of Course that Rovers have the money to get him, what the heck are 4,5 millions to them?

McCarthy will probably stay away from Blackburn, but I think Sokota will cease the oppurtunity.

more likely the oposite. mccarthy will do anything to get in england

yea his dream was to play there

mccarthy=sellout
sokota=money obssesed

i also heard that sokota signed a deal withh porto already and is waiting for the season to be over so he can leave benfica b and join porto i believe its BS tho

mccarthy aint no sellout...

I wouldnt blame McCarthy he stated it was his dream to go to England now its his chance. Why wouldnt he take it? :handbags

its time for him to..he has won everything with Porto, now its time for a new challenge for him.

Its his dream and would be great to see him strive in his goals. :USA_Blue

well good for him. I'll wish him the best of luck.

I think he will fit in. in england its pretty fast paced soccer, if he can go back to his old style, not getting red's he will be a great player for blackburn, and maybe can get recognized by bigger teams:P:woot

Mokoena wants Benni link-up
skysports

Aaron Mokoena has urged Blackburn Rovers to move for his compatriot Benni McCarthy.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes is anxious to strengthen his attack in the summer and Porto striker McCarthy is high on his shopping list.

McCarthy's agent has confirmed that Rovers hold an interest in the South African hot shot, although his future is on hold until the end of the season.

The forward could cost up to £5 million but Rovers ace Mokoena feels it would be money well spent.

Mokoena has discussed a switch to The Premiership with his fellow South African and revealed McCarthy is keen to play in England.

"Benni is a top forward and he is really looking forward to playing in The Premiership," said Mokoena.

"We have the same agent and we talk a lot and he really wants to come to England to earn some pounds.

"You only have to look at Benni's record at Ajax and Porto to realise what a good striker he is."

Mokoena has impressed at Ewood Park since joining the club in January and Rovers would hope McCarthy could have a similar impact.

But if Hughes firms up his interest in the attacker, he could face competition from Premiership rivals Birmingham City, Everton and Newcastle United.