BLACKBURN Rovers skipper Chris Samba has pleaded with the club’s owners ‘don’t stand in my way’ as rivals continue to circle for his signature.

The giant defender is understood to be a target for Arsenal and Tottenham, with Venky’s’ chairman Anuradha Desai admitting there was interest in him, but Rovers insist they don’t have to sell.

Samba has constantly stated his desire to join a ‘bigger club’ over the past few months and has again made his feelings known as the speculation over his future grows.

He told French newspaper L'Equipe: "For four-and-a-half years I have been at Blackburn and fought against relegation.

"If a good opportunity presents itself, I want to take it. I hope the club will understand if I want to make the step up and not prevent a deal."

Manager Steve Kean has reiterated his desire to keep Samba and insisted the club does not have to sell him.

He said: “We don’t have to sell him.

"He signed a five-year contract in the last window.

"He’s one of the players we would like keep."

Samba, 27, signed a contract extension at Blackburn, committing him to the club until 2015, and Rovers are desperate to keep hold of him having already been forced into selling Phil Jones to Manchester United.