Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud still has no idea whether Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh will sign a new deal at the Stade Gerland. With his current deal at the reigning Ligue 1 champions set to end in the summer, the 26-year-old is eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with other clubs and has been heavily linked with Premier League pair Arsenal and Liverpool.
It had been reported earlier in the week that Rafael Benitez had agreed a £25 million package to snap up the highly-rated forward with Chamakh offered an apparent £12 million signing on fee to move to Anfield at the end of the season. Nevertheless, with Liverpool playing down the reports and the club struggling financially, it appears that Arsenal retain their position as favourites to snap up the player next summer.
Having made a strong impression on continental suitors with his debut appearance in the Champions League earlier in the season it is believed that Spanish giants Barcelona and Serie A side Juventus could compete with Arsenal and Liverpool should the protracted saga not come to an end this month.
Speaking about any progression in negotiations, Triaud told French radio station RMC that he was unsure if his prized asset could be persuaded to stay under Laurent Blanc’s stewardship:
“I don’t know,” he reflected.
“Is it because of his affection to the club that he takes his time to reply? I find him hard to understand. But we have so much friendship and respect for this boy that we wish him good luck.”
Chamakh has been an ever-present in Bordeaux’s league fixtures to date notching six goals in the league. He struck 13 times in total last season as he helped les Girondins to their first league title in a decade.
While striker recruits are thought to be a necessity at both Arsenal and Liverpool, messrs Wenger and Benitez have so far spent the transfer window making signings in other positions. The Gunners are set to announce a short-term contract for former player Sol Campbell while the Anfield board confirmed last night that Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez had signed on a free.