Liverpool are lining up a deal for Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba. The People says the ambitious Rovers star has switched agents after failing to secure a move away from Ewood Park last summer.

And Liverpool have been alerted to the fact he remains keen on leaving the struggling Ewood Park club. Arsenal showed keen interest in Samba last January, when the Congo international was rewarded with an improved five-year contract by Blackburn.

The Gunners and local rivals Tottenham were both chasing Samba during the summer but neither tabled official bids for the player.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has since signed German international defender Per Mertesacker, meaning that his interest in Samba has cooled.

Spurs are still on the look-out for a new centre-back but Liverpool are said to be in pole position for Samba.