CITY have finally landed Roque Santa Cruz - and taken a big step towards giving him a new strike partner.

While the Paraguay international was signing on the dotted line for the Blues on Monday evening, word trickled into Eastlands that Chelsea have dropped out of the race to sign Carlos Tevez.

Barring any latecomers, or a change of heart by the United man, that leaves City with a clear run at signing the player.

Tevez is still contracted to United until next Tuesday under the terms of his "owner" Kia Joorabchian's deal with the Reds.

But City, who have held talks with Joorabchian and are prepared to meet the asking price of £25.5m, are firmly in the driving seat.

Chelsea are believed to have pulled the plug after refusing to sanction Tevez's £100,000-a-week wages.

Ambitions

Manager Mark Hughes plans to pair Tevez with Santa Cruz, the 27-year-old Blackburn and former Bayern Munich man having penned a four-year contract.

And Santa Cruz says he has joined City in order to fulfil his Champions League ambitions - his two years at Ewood Park coming after eight silver-laden years at Bayern.

He revealed the chance of linking up again with Mark Hughes, the man who retrieved him from the Bayern bench and turned him into a Rovers' hero, was a major factor.

But the quiet ambition of the club's new owners and the passionate City fans also had a big bearing on his decision.

"I know the kind of football Mark Hughes wants to play and the kind of character he is - he's a winner, he wants to make things happen and be successful," said Santa Cruz.

"Those are always my thoughts as well, so knowing what he wants was a big factor in coming here, because I know the club is going in the right direction.

"I know his staff and the kind of training they will have the team doing, so everything was very attractive for me.

"The owners want the club to be more successful - they want to break into the top four, and the fact that the fans are so passionate about everything to do with City was also a factor. I am very motivated to play for these fans.

"I spoke to the chairman and I know his ambitions are known to everybody at the club - he made sure that I know as well.

"It was a good conversation. He wants the best for the club and to give something back to the fans."

Medical

The one remaining doubt over the transfer had been yesterday's medical at a private hospital in Whalley Range, but Santa Cruz - who had knee surgery in April - came through without problems.

And he spoke of his relief at finally completing a move he has wanted since City first made a move in January.

"I'm very happy to have signed for City - it's been close to happening for a while, and now I can just focus on football and concentrate on doing my best for the club," he said.

Manager Hughes is on holiday, but interrupted his break to welcome his second major signing of the summer.

"We're delighted to get him here," he said. "It was really important that we signed him, as it's an area of the squad that we have needed to address for some time, and the qualities Roque brings will be of great benefit."

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