The Gunners have been credited with a long-standing interest in the giant centre-back as they look to bolster their defensive ranks. Congo powerhouse Samba looked set to leave Ewood Park in the wake of Sam Allardyce's sacking but was eventually persuaded to put pen to paper on a fresh deal by new boss Steve Kean. The 27-year-old, who is now under contract at Ewood Park until the summer of 2015, was targeted by the Gunners during the January transfer window without success. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is expected to return with another offer in the summer as he aims to improve a backline which proved leaky at times last term in another season without silverware. Anuradha Desai, chairperson of the Venkys group who own Blackburn, admitted that Samba was keen on a move to North London but Rovers are eager to keep him for at least another 12 months. "We don't want to let Chris go," Desai told the Mail on Sunday. "I'm confident that we can keep him and I hope he'll stay. "I know he has an ambition to play for Arsenal but I hope we can keep him for another year at least and prove our own ambition."
