Chamakh in London

African star looking to seal switch

By Giscard Gourizro & Patrick Haond   Last updated: 3rd August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Chamakh in London

Chamakh: Fuming at Bordeaux

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Skysports.com understands that Arsenal and Sunderland target Marouane Chamakh is in London.

The Moroccan international has been left fuming by Bordeaux's decision to reject bids from the Premier League duo.

Sunderland's offer was understood to have matched or been very close to Bordeaux's valuation of the player, but their coach Laurent Blanc stated he was too good to join the North East club.

Now Arsenal have come in for the 25-year-old - but their bid has been rejected.

Arsenal are understood to have offered just £5million, an offer president Jean-Louis Triaud has branded 'ridiculous' as the club are believed to be looking for at least double that figure.

"What Wenger proposes is not decent," he stated.

But now events have taken a fresh turn as Chamakh missed Bordeaux's clash with Villarreal on Sunday.

Blanc confirmed he was informed by the player he could not play, saying: "I received a phone call on Saturday evening. He told me he was sick and I am forced to believe it."

Despite Chamakh missing the match, it now transpires he is in England as he looks to try and push through a move to the Premier League.

Anger

And Chamakh shows no signs of relenting over his stance as he launched a fresh attack on Bordeaux.

"I am angry, I am disgusted and I do not understand why they have done that," he told L'Equipe when asked about Arsenal's offer being rejected.

"One thing is certain, I will not be signing a new contract - if they will not let me go now, I will leave for free.

"If a solution cannot be found quickly, everyone will lose. Frankly I really do not want to start the season with Bordeaux."

Chamakh is infuriated that neither Sunderland or Arsenal can agree terms with Bordeaux.

"Already I am told that Sunderland is not the club for me," he continued.

"But since when does a club chose the future of a player? Then my bosses tell me they will let me go to one of the 'Big Four' like Arsenal.

"And then when an offer comes in, it is refused because they want a bigger fee as I have one-year left on my contract.

"Everything is being done to prevent my move, I do not understand given how much service I have given to Bordeaux.

"Joining Arsenal is my dream. My agents are in talks with Arsenal and I really hope it will go off smoothly. I don't want to start a trail of strength with my officials."