Blackburn boss Steve Kean tells potential suitors Arsenal & Tottenham he is under no pressure to sell Christopher Samba

Christopher Samba (getty Images)

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Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has told potential suitors of his captain Christopher Samba that he is under no pressure to sell the towering defender.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked to the Congo international but his manager is looking to hold onto the 6ft 4in centre-half.

Kean says the ball is in Rovers’ court with regards to Samba after he signed a long-term contract in January.

“We don’t have to sell him,” Kean told TalkSPORT.

“He signed a five-year contract in the last window and he’s one of the players we would like keep.

“I said earlier this year you are always going to have interest in your good players. It means they’re playing well and you’re playing well as a team.

“But w are going to try and hold on to all our good players.”

Kean also spoke about the sale of Phil Jones to Manchester United. While he understood the player’s desire to play in the Champions League, he believes Blackburn will be in that position not too far in the future.

“It was difficult with Phil because he got the opportunity to go to Manchester United and he wanted to play Champions League football now and we’re not there yet,” said the Rovers boss.

“However, I’m sure we will be in the next three or four seasons.”