• Premier League

Rovers insist Samba is not for sale

ESPN staff
January 17, 2012
Chris Samba has expressed his desire to leave Blackburn © Getty Images
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Blackburn have dashed Chris Samba's hopes of a move away from Ewood Park, releasing a statement confirming they have no intention of selling the Rovers captain.

With Tottenham and QPR interested in the centre-back, Samba handed in a transfer request on Monday, but Blackburn, who have already rejected two bids for the defender, remain unmoved.

"Blackburn Rovers reiterate that team captain Chris Samba is not for sale," said a statement. "The player signed a new contract with the club less than a year ago which runs to June 2015."

Samba has been linked with a number of clubs in recent months, with French giants Paris Saint German reportedly interested in the Congo international. Samba, who joined Rovers from Hertha Berlin in 2007, feels it is time to move on, and in a statement on Monday urged Blackburn to let him leave to "pursue a new challenge".

"In my five years at Blackburn Rovers Football Club I have always given 100% in every game I have played," Samba said in a statement on Monday. "I have had several opportunities to leave but I have always stayed.

"I have decided now is the right time for me to pursue a new challenge and I have asked the club to respect my decision and allow me to leave. I thank the fans for their support and I hope they feel I have served them and their club well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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