Blackburn Rovers slap £16m price tag on Arsenal and Tottenham target Chris Samba

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart

The Lancashire club take hard a negotiating stance in an attempt to deter clubs interested in the defender following the departure of Phil Jones to Manchester United

Blackburn Rovers have put an astonishing £16 million (€18m) asking price on Arsenal and Tottenham target Christopher Samba.

The north London rivals have both shown an interest in the defender but Rovers are desperate to hold on to the Congolese star having already sold Phil Jones to Manchester United this summer. However, Blackburn manager Steve Kean has sought to put off suitors by valuing Samba at £16m as he looks to sign a new centre-back to partner rather than replace him.
Everton have also been linked with a bid for Samba but Blackburn are in a strong negotiating position as the 27-year-old is under contract at Ewood Park until 2015.
Kean insisted last week that Blackburn have not received an official bid for Samba despite reports that Tottenham have made a player-plus-cash offer including Sebastien Bassong.
He said: “Chris is only a few months into a five-year contract. There have been rumours every single week but we have not had any bids at all, not one, and long may that continue.”
Arsenal are believed to have given up their pursuit of Samba due to his price tag and are now concentrating on signing one of Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill or Scott Dann.
Spurs, who are also admirers of Cahill, continue to monitor Samba's situation but have set a £12m (€13.5m) ceiling on any deal for the French-born defender who joined Blackburn from Hertha Berlin in 2007.
Samba missed Blackburn's opening day defeat to Wolves with a groin strain but is expected to return for Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.
Samba will not attempt to force a move away from Blackburn but he was quoted last month speaking of his desire to play in the Champions League and alluded to Arsenal's interest.
“I want to play Champions League football,” he told The Sun. “Which player doesn't dream of that?
“A player who has no ambition to play at a higher level has made a mistake and chosen the wrong sport.
“I don't know what is happening with Arsenal because I am not dealing with it and it's not my problem.
“At the minute I am still at Blackburn but it would be a big lie if I told you 'everything is good and I don't want to play in the Champions League'.”