Reports in The Sun this morning claiming that Arsenal had improved their offer for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh have been rebuffed immediately by Bordeaux president Jean Louis Triaud, who also stated that if Wenger shows more desire to sign the forward then the transfer could still be on.
The long running saga looks set to continue to the deadline however, following Wenger hinting that there is likely to be no movement on transfers until after the start of the season. Triaud confirmed that there has been no more offers from Arsenal since their opening bid of 7m Euros was rejected 10 days before and that there has been “no signs of life” from the Gunners since then.
“If Arsene Wenger really wants Marouane, I suppose it will end up happening. [But at the moment] the question of his departure does not arise, unfortunately for him [Chamakh].”
Bordeaux are still reportedly holding out for 12m Euros for the forward but with only a year left on his contract the Moroccan could start to negotiate a free transfer for next summer in just 5 months time so the pressure is on the French club to get what money they can for one of their star assets now while they still can. Chamakh, who scored on the opening day of Ligue 1 this weekend, is willing to consider a move to any club with West Ham and Sunderland acredited with an interest, while Bordeaux wish only to sell him if a big club comes in.
It will be interesting to see which club gives way first.
