STEVE Kean will not be forced into selling any of his Blackburn Rovers stars this summer with his bosses prepared to give him the final say on all summer transfer business.

Skipper Chris Samba has become the latest Rover to be linked with a move away from Ewood Park after he admitted he would be interested in leaving to fulfil his ambitions.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is believed to be ready to test Rovers’ resolve with a summer bid for Samba, with home grown sensation Phil Jones also expected to be hot property among the Premier League’s big guns.

But, in a shift away from Rovers’ ‘selling club’ mentality of the recent past, sources close to owners Venky’s have told the Lancashire Telegraph Kean is under no obligation to sell his stars.

While under the control of previous owners, the Walker Trust, departures would have been necessary to give Kean a worthwhile transfer kitty, Venky’s are understood to be prepared to financially back their manager without generating cash from sales.

Venky’s have continually emphasised their desire to keep their young stars at the club and are understood to be determined to keep 19-year-old Jones at Ewood Park.

Samba’s recent words have again thrown his Rovers future into doubt, having hinted at a move away on numerous occasions before, but it would take a big money offer to tempt Kean into even considering selling his inspirational skipper.

The arrival of more quality players this summer would also strengthen Samba’s belief that Rovers can achieve Venky’s ambitions of taking the club into Europe.

The size of his summer cash pot is still unknown and a bid in excess of £10million could tempt Kean into selling to increase his own spending power in his search for a striker when the transfer window reopens next month.

Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham, the towering defender said he was “very close” to a move to Arsenal in January although the Lancashire Telegraph understands the club received no official bid from the Londoners.

Samba said: “Everybody knows that I am an ambitious player.

“I am at an age now where I want to try to do something. You only have one career and it would be a shame to not make the best of it.

“I think a move to Arsenal was very close in January, but that is life. You have to continue.

“I am happy at Blackburn, but I will study any opportunities that come my way this year. I'm not trying to move away, but of course I would look if it is the right thing for me.

“If it happens, it happens, but it wasn't meant to be and football is like that. I committed myself to Blackburn and will always do my best.”