Christopher Samba Rumored to Spurs in Player + Cash Deal

Blackburn Rovers centerback Christopher Samba is being rumored to move to Tottenham in a player exchange plus cash deal, according to reports. The deal would reportedly include £10 million and either Robbie Keane or David Bentley (or possibly Sebastien Bassong) in exchange for the Rovers defender. However, it seems that Blackburn is valuing Samba at closer to £15m, so it is to be seen whether including a player would be enough to seal the deal.

It would seem reasonable to think that David Bentley might be the most logical player for Blackburn to choose out of the trio. Coming off a decent loan at Birmingham City, Bentley would provide cover after Mame Biram Douf's return to Manchester United from loan and the aging (and sometimes ineffective) Brett Emerton.

For Tottenham, such a deal would be superb. With the tightness of the club's current salary structure, getting high wage players like Keane and Bentley of the ledger would greatly increase the squad's flexibility in the transfer window. Samba is a player of immense quality that would add a needed physical and aerial dominance in the center of defense.

The Tottenham defensive ranks are currently looking quite thin. Michael Dawson is the only first choice center back that is healthy. Ledley King is a mystery as to when he will be able to play, Willliam Gallas has been having major fitness issues this preseason, Younes Kaboul is being readjusted to playing purely CB after playing right back much of the season, and Bassong has unimpressed in a Spurs shirt.

After much defensive frailty in 2010-11, adding Samba would give Spurs an excellent first choice defensive pairing to go into league play, and the depth to thrive in the Europa League.