UPDATE: Cartilage Free Captain had previously wrote that Blackburn Rovers centerback Christopher Samba is being rumored to move to Tottenham in a player exchange plus cash deal. New reports say that Tottenham are offering £6m and defender Sebastien Bassong in exchange for the Rovers defender.
It seems unlikely though that Blackburn would accept such a deal. Blackburn's new Indian ownership want to hold on to Samba and rate him closer to £12-15m. After the departure of Phil Jones to Manchester United this offseason, Samba is far and away the top defender for Blackburn, so his departure could be devastating to Blackburn's hopes of avoiding a relegation battle this season.
For Tottenham, it seems very clear that Levy is lowballing Rovers initially. Bassong, after moving to Tottenham in 2009 for £8m, has underperformed and his value has dropped. But, he would provide needed reinforcements for the Blackburn center of defense, and Bassong has done the job with both club and country--and is still only 25. It seems likely that if Levy offers a decent increase in the money going to Blackburn, this can deal happen.
For Tottenham, such a deal would be superb. Getting Samba while getting rid of Bassong should not put much of a strain on the Tottenham wage structure. Samba is a player of immense quality that would add a needed physical and aerial dominance in the center of defense. At only 27, Samba is just now entering his prime and looks to get even better with a move to a bigger club such as Tottenham.
Samba would help add some quality and depth to a thin Tottenham central defense. 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, William Gallas has been having major fitness issues this preseason, and Younes Kaboul is being readjusted to playing purely CB after playing right back much of the season.
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.