Source: Daily_Mail
Christopher Samba set for Blackburn Rovers exit as Steve Kean is forced to sell
Steve Kean was facing fresh turmoil at Ewood Park last night after it emerged he may have to cash in on experienced central defender Christopher Samba. [LNB]Already reeling from the loss of England Under-21 centre back Phil Jones to Manchester United, the Blackburn manager appears to be heading for a defensive crisis, after a clear signal that Samba could soon be on his way. [LNB]The 27-year-old has made little secret of his eagerness to quit Ewood Park and is a target for Tottenham and Arsenal, with White Hart Lane seemingly his likeliest destination.[LNB] Stepping out: Blackburn may be forced to cash in on Samba - Spurs and Arsenal are interested in the defender [LNB] The price is right: Kean will be forced to sell Samba [LNB] Kean may be forced to sanction the ?8million move, despite Samba signing a new five-year deal only last season. [LNB]Blackburnowners Venky's are bringing in cost-cutting measures to reduce their bank overdraft, as reported in Sportsmail yesterday, and the impact is already being felt by the under-pressure boss. [LNB]Midfielder Keith Andrews may also be off-loaded, with Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest keen on him, while Blackburn are desperate to find a buyer for El- Hadji Diouf, after his recent unauthorised absence.[LNB] The Senegal forward was yesterday bracing himself for the maximum fine of two weeks' wages, around ?90,000, for failing to report for pre-season training. [LNB]But after informing him of the penalty for missing training and remaining out of contact for more than a fortnight, Kean announced that he would be sold to the first club willing to take him. [LNB]With West Ham and QPR having second thoughts after initial interest, and Rangers declining to take him back to Ibrox after a loan spell last season, Blackburn were starting to pin their hopes on finding a solution abroad. [LNB]The need for reinforcements is growing ever more acute, with Kean setting his sights on a defender, creative midfielder and striker but so far facing frustration on all fronts.[LNB] His move for Mariano Pavone looks ready to collapse, despite the Argentine striker buying out his Real Betis contract and becoming a free agent. [LNB]There are suggestions that a lack of cash may have ruined negotiations, and a similar pattern has emerged in other potential deals, most notably for Belgium midfielder Alex Witsel. [LNB]Sportsmail understands Blackburn made a ?4m bid for the highly-rated Witsel after Benfica had offered ?7m. [LNB] Head boy: Blackburn target Witsel joined Benfica a week ago [LNB]Disturbingly for Kean, but not surprisingly, Witsel duly joined Benfica a week ago. [LNB]The drastic change of emphasis since Venky's took charge - amid extravagant promises of attracting 'marquee' names to the club - even extends to Blackburn's backroom staff and scouting network. [LNB]Steve Nixon, head of recruitment at youth level, has been lost to Newcastle in the past week, while there are fears that budget cuts will severely reduce the club's European scouting network. [LNB] Sold: Jones joined Man United in a ?16m deal [LNB]Venky's are also thought to view their outlay on agents as excessive and are increasingly using South American businessman Joao Souza to pursue overseas targets. [LNB]It will hardly allay mounting unease among Blackburn fans that the only sign of a transfer breakthrough is the arrival of Brazilian right back Bruno Ribeiro from Gremio Prudente on a free, following a recent trial.[LNB] In a further sign of behind-the-scenes disarray, the club are thought to be considering the ramifications of Jones's recent exit, amid concerns over how United knew about the ?16m release clause in his contract. [LNB]Kean admitted to 'frustrations' on the transfer front but hit back at claims that the fee for Jones had already been swallowed up by debts, pointing out that Blackburn had so far only received an initial downpayment. [LNB]'The Phil Jones money was not all in one payment,' he said. 'I have a good budget to work with and by the time the transfer window finishes everyone will know what the budget was and what money was invested back in.[LNB] 'It is difficult to say how much we are going to spend because we want the money to spread as far as we can. It is a budget that we will try to stretch and get as many quality players in as we can. [LNB]'We have got two active bids for players out there, and we will see if they are accepted. If not, other bids will go in.[LNB] 'I can totally understand the fans' frustrations and I hope they bear with us because it is not a case where we are twiddling our thumbs and not doing any work. [LNB]'I have a good relationship with the owners and we have a management panel in place.[LNB] 'I am possibly frustrated we have not managed to finalise a deal. It is a lot harder to get them done than I first thought.'[LNB] Arsenal and Spurs have made no bids for Samba, insists Blackburn boss KeanRise of the apes: Chimps really could shoot guns like they do in new film trailerClub-by-club guide to all the Barclays Premier League summer transfers
