Reports: Santa Cruz set to join Lazio

Reports: Santa Cruz set to join Lazio

Published Aug. 24, 2010 1:51 p.m. ET

Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz appears set to join Lazio on loan from Manchester City.

Italian media reported on Tuesday that Lazio will pay City ?2 million ($2.5 million) and acquire the option to purchase Santa Cruz's full contract at the end of the season for ?4 million ($5 million).

The deal reportedly would require City to continue paying part of Santa Cruz's salary, which is more than ?2 million per season.

Neither club has announced the deal officially yet.

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Injuries have affected most of Santa Cruz's career. He played in only parts of Paraguay's run to the World Cup quarterfinals and scored just three goals in 14 league appearances for City last season after a $30 million move from Blackburn.

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