Source: Daily_Mail
The Insider: Chris Samba linked with Tottenham
Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this summer. [LNB]His column, published every weekday, offers an insight into the deals which will be done and those that won't - and why. [LNB]A 5/5-rating means The Insider reckons it's a done deal; 0/5 means The Insider has his mortgage on it not happening.[LNB]Don't miss your daily Insider instalment here.[LNB] CHRISTOPHER SAMBABlackburn to Tottenham THE INSIDER says: 4/5[LNB]FARIS HAROUN Beerschott to MiddlesbroughTHE INSIDER says: 4/5[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]Blackburn want to keep hold of Samba until January if they can and are making sure their valuation makes it difficult for suitors to prise him away. [LNB]It means the Congo international may have to push more for a move himself depending how much he wants to leave in this window. [LNB]January is not the best time for transfers and particularly for defenders when they need to bed in to new surroundings. [LNB]Tottenham want Samba and they are in a position to give Blackburn a replacement plus cash but the valuations are some distance apart. [LNB]Blackburn could do with the money at the moment as their owners Venky's look to refinance the club overdrafts and Nikola Kalinic looks for a pay-off prior to finalising his protracted ?6m move to Dnipro. [LNB]They also still need to bring in another striker despite signing David Goodwillie. But Spurs need to make the right offer.[LNB]Middlesbrough are looking to bolster their squad and have been looking at options in Holland and Belgium for attack and midfield. [LNB]They are keen on 6ft 2ins Belgium international Faris Haroun. The 25-year-old midfielder is with Beerschot AC who recently sold Victor Wanyama to Celtic. [LNB]They are not blessed financially and Boro believe they can get Haroun out on a free transfer as they simply want to reduce their wage bill. [LNB]Ipswich and Hull City have also considered Haroun who has mainly figured for his country from the bench but has a decent goalscoring record from midfield. [LNB]He has a cult following and has been the subject of a song that was all the rage on YouTube. [LNB]The one problem for Boro could be if Standard Liege reignite their interest as they consider players to replace Axel Witsel who has signed for Benfica.[LNB] ALEXChelsea to Zenit St PetersburgTHE INSIDER says: 5/5[LNB]COSTEL PANTILIMON FC Timisoara to Manchester CityTHE INSIDER says: 5/5[LNB] [LNB]The Russian side made a bid for the Chelsea defender in May and are considering a fresh approach following Juventus's interest in Bruno Alves. In a tangled twist of events. Juventus had originally drawn up a list of three targets which included Alex and Bruno Alves. However, they have spent a big part of their budget and wanted to bring in a defender on loan with a view to sign next summer.Chelsea are reluctant to let Alex go on loan but in the meantime Zenit have asked Juventus if they can have Leonardo Bonucci as part of a deal for Alves. Juventus have said no but still hope to negotiate over Alves even though they have little financial muscle to play with. Chelsea value Alex at ?10m although they are flexible over how that can be brokered. They remain hopeful of a work permit for Slobodan Rajkovic but may sell him instead if they are not successful.[LNB]City have signed the Romanian as an understudy to Joe Hart to replace Shay Given, who joined Aston Villa last month. [LNB]Stuart Taylor remains but City still want another experienced keeper as back-up. [LNB]Timo Hildebrand had a trial period with the first team squad in America and Stoke Thomas Sorensen has also been discussed as he grows unsettled at Stoke where he has been forced sideways by Amir Begovic. [LNB]Giant Romanian Pantilimon certainly has presence as he stands at 6ft 8ins tall and has experience despite being just 24 as he has been capped 13 times by Romania. [LNB]He has been watched consistently in recent seasons by Arsenal, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Schalke. [LNB]But although they have had the odd doubt, City have moved in struck the deal with his club.[LNB]FC Timisoara, who finished second in the Romanian top flight this year, were relegated due to accumulated debts.[LNB][LNB] [LNB]Don't miss your daily instalment of The Insider every weekday through the transfer window here at MailOnline.
