Fulham boss Mark Hughes could miss out on a reunion with Roque Santa Cruz with the Manchester City striker set to be on the verge of sealing a January loan escape to Spanish outfit Getafe.

The Paraguay international has fallen out of favour at Eastlands under manager Roberto Mancini, making just one appearance so far this season in the Carling Cup defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Hughes, who signed Santa Cruz both for Blackburn and then last year costing City £17million, registered an interest in signing the unsettled forward in the summer.

Having failed to finalise a deal before the window slammed shut in September it is understood the Fulham manager listed the 29-year-old at the top of his transfer wish-list for January.

However it is believed City are reluctant to do business with any of their Barclays Premier League rivals for any of their players unless it is an outright deal.

Leicester boss Sven Goran Eriksson is also said to be keen on a temporary deal for the former Bayern Munich hitman but the Championship side would only be able to offer City a £20,000-a-week contribution - a fraction of the player's weekly salary.

Santa Cruz is deeply frustrated at his lack of playing activity having fallen way down the pecking order behind Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jo.

It is reported that La Liga side Getafe would offer him first team football assurances and president Angel Torresis set to open discussions with City chiefs in a bid to beat off rivals suitors from England and Spain, with Real Mallorca and Espanyol also keen.

Source: Daily Mail