Kean is looking to bolster his defensive options following the sale of Phil Jones to Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United.

With their ranks now depleted, Rovers are all the more determined to fend off any interest in the highly-rated Chris Samba.

Centre-half Bamba has impressed since arriving at Leicester from Clydesdale Bank Premier League club Hibernian in January, and Kean is hopeful a deal can be done to bring the 26-year-old to Ewood Park.

"We are quite close," Kean told Sky Sports News. "An offer has been put in and we are trying to progress that although it is slow. The good news is it hasn't been rejected so we are moving forward."

Kean added: "Even if Chris Samba had been playing and fit we have always been searching for a centre-back because we haven't replaced Phil Jones yet and we want to make sure we have good competition for places.

"We certainly need another centre-back."