Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal bid £8m Blackburn defender Chris Samba
ShareArsenal have kicked off their summer shake-up plans with an ?8million bid for Blackburn defender Chris Samba.[LNB]Boss Arsene Wenger has put a dominant centre half at the top of his shopping list after another disappointing season without a trophy.[LNB] Samba star: Rovers' defender (left) is a target for Arsene Wenger[LNB]Samba, 27, revealed this month that he came close to leaving Ewood Park in the January transfer window.[LNB] 'Everybody knows that I am an ambitious player. I think a move to Arsenal was very close in January but that is life.'[LNB]Meanwhile, Carl Jenkinson, Wenger's first summer signing, is at the centre of atug-of-war between England and Finland.[LNB]Jenkinson has played for England Under 17s but qualifies for Finland through his mother.[LNB] Summer shake-up: Wenger (right) has already signed Charlton youngster Jenkinson[LNB]After talks with family, Jenkinson decided to pledge his future to Finland and has threecaps for their Under 21s.[LNB]The 19-year-old moved to the Emirates from Charlton earlier this week, a switch revealed by Sportsmail in March.[LNB]Challenge: Finland coach Paatelainen faces a battle from the English FA over Jenkinson's international alliance [LNB]But the dream move has re-alerted the FA to Jenkinson's talents and Wembley chiefs are understood to be keen to persuade the defender back into the England fold.[LNB]Finland, aware of England's interest, want to fast-track Jenkinson into their senior side to secure his future.[LNB]Indeed, manager Mixu Paatelainen has called Jenkinson up into a trainingcamp for the players on the fringes of his side despite him making 12professionalappearances.[LNB]Under FIFA laws, a player cannot change his international allegiance once he has played a competitive fixture for a nation at senior level.[LNB]Finland have two Euro 2012 qualifiers next month, by which time their chances of qualifying could be over.[LNB] Jenkinson could make his senior debut for Finland in the qualifier against Moldova onSeptember 2.[LNB]An FA spokesman said: 'Carl Jenkinson has been in England's development systemand is still on our radar but has chosen to represent Finland at this present time, which he is entitled to do.'[LNB] 'Cesc is too expensive,' Milan rule out summer swoop for Gunner FabregasReal blow to Wenger as Benzema bides his time at the BernabeuAll the latest Arsenal news, features and opinionAll the latest Blackburn news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:Places: United Kingdom, Finland
