Can Rovers boss Steve Kean prevent the wantaway defender from leaving? QPR, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain could all be interested.
QPR
Newly installed manager Mark Hughes will be keen to sign several players this month, and won’t think twice about raiding his former club to reunite with Samba.
Samba has spoken of his ambition, and whether QPR match that or are seen as a sideways step is an issue to consider.
However the R’s are the frontrunners for his signature, already lodging two bids, and at this stage look most likely to seal the deal.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs have a title challenge to sustain, and will not want it hampered by injury-prone centre-backs Ledley King and William Gallas.
Gary Cahill looks to be Chelsea bound, so Samba is one of the best available defenders at a decent price.
Spurs know all about him, having suffered a late defeat to a spectacular Samba winner a couple of years back.
Chelsea
At this stage Chelsea have not expressed an interest as their number one target is Bolton’s Gary Cahill.
But negotiations have still not been agreed despite two weeks of wranglings.
If they decide to end their interest, as AC Milan did with Tevez yesterday, the Blues will have to look elsewhere.
Samba would be available for around the same price, and they would certainly be a club the defender would jump at joining.
Newcastle United
There is currently no firm interest from Newcastle, but the prudent Alan Pardew will certainly be monitoring the defender’s situation.
Newcastle’s defensive cover is stretched in the absence of Steven Taylor, and they will need to sign a defender this month.
If they are forced to sell one of their stars late on in the window, Tiote or Ba, a cash injection could allow them to make a big bid for the centre-back.
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG are one ambitious club who Samba would love to join.
New manager Carlo Ancelotti will be aware of him from his Chelsea days, and the defender would not be best pleased if Blackburn block a bid for him from the French side.
The club has rich new owners and they are more than willing to splash the cash to land success.
– Should he stay or should he go?
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