Samba is ambitious to 'go higher' and feels his future lies elsewhere

Blackburn defender Christopher Samba has reiterated his desire to leave Ewood Park.

Samba was quoted last month as saying he was ready to hand in a transfer request, but new manager Steve Kean said last week he expected him to stay.

"This is my fifth season here. I've had ups and downs but today I don't want to waste any more time," said Samba.

"I want to go higher and I wonder if Blackburn can take me there. I'll take time to think."

The Congolese international told French newspaper L'Equipe he does not want to be part of the club under new owners Venky's.

One of the first things the India-based poultry firm did on taking over was sack Sam Allardyce and give his job to first-team coach Kean.

Since then the club's owners have hit the headlines again by going public with ambitious bids to sign AC Milan forward Ronaldinho and take former England captain David Beckham on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Samba, who is set to return from a three-game absence through injury against Liverpool on Wednesday, has expressed his dismay at Venky's handling of matters at the club and believes it is now time to leave.

"New owners have arrived, they have fired the coach when he saved us from relegation two years ago," he said.

"The least they could have done is come to us and explain their project. They haven't done that, it's a lack of respect. I don't want to be part of it."

He also expressed his suspicion that Kean would be given the transfer funds to make Blackburn the top-five club which the owners believe is possible.

"He [Kean] told me he had resources to build a good team. We'll see," Samba added.

After last week's 3-1 victory at West Bromwich, his first win as Rovers boss, Kean said Samba had not officially demanded a move.

However, the Scot had previously stripped Samba of the Blackburn captaincy because he claimed he was looking to leave the club.

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