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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly preparing an €9 million deal for Blackburn Rovers defender Chris Samba.

The French boss is looking to find a candidate to solve the Gunners’ woes in central defence.

The Blackburn captain revealed that he almost left the club in January but extended his contract for another year in December after it was rumoured he wanted to join Aston Villa or Arsenal.

He told the Daily Mail: "Everybody knows that I am an ambitious player. I think a move to Arsenal was very close in January but that is life."

Samba made 36 appearances for the Rovers in the 2010-11 season and found the back of the net four times.