Chamakh holds Gunners talks
The Gunners have been tracking the Morocco international frontman for some time, with the player admitting recently that he was heading to Emirates Stadium.
It appears as though Arsene Wenger may finally be about to get his man, with the French coach recently confirming that an agreement was close.
Should he agree terms with Arsenal, Chamakh will move to England as a free agent as his contract at Bordeaux is set to expire.
The 26-year-old has been a regular source of goals in the French top flight over recent years and has often expressed a desire to test himself at a higher level.
He may be about to get that opportunity in the Premier League, with it seemingly only a matter of time before he secures a dream move to Arsenal.
Proposal
While the Gunners are delighted to be closing on a top target, Bordeaux have been left disappointed at the prospect of seeing their most potent attacking weapon head for pastures new.
Club president Jean-Louis Triaud has revealed that the Ligue 1 outfit did everything in their power to keep the African ace at Stade Chaban Delmas, but accepts there is nothing more he can do.
"We have proposed extensions to Marouane. Our first proposal was on January 1, 2009," he said.
"He said he never spoke to Arsene Wenger. But I find it strange that he could be recruited by Arsenal without talking to the coach.
"I have had two difficult transfers since I arrived: Wiltord and Chamakh. These two departures relate to Arsenal.
Affection
"Had he accepted our proposal, he could have improved his contract.
"I think he was surrounded and badly misguided. I did not appreciate at all how it went. As president, I resent it."Triaud, though, has no personal animosity towards Chamakh.
He added: "Personally, I owe him all my affection. He is a lovely boy. He is a warrior and a fighter. He has not cheated.
"I wish him success at Arsenal. I will see him again with pleasure.
"I have great affection and gratitude for him. He brought a lot of things at the club. But I still don't appreciate the way he left."[end story]
Skysports needs to do better research. Marouane is not African, he is French-Moroccan.
Chamakh has stated many times that he would have stayed at Bordeaux had his team extended his contract last summer. They chose to drag their feet, so he took this as a signal that he could look elsewhere. Wenger had been an admirer so of course he saw Chamakh was not staying in Bordeaux and jumped at the chance to sign him. When that happened, Triaud blocked the transfer. This angered Marouane and he gave a scathing indictment of Bordeaux' handling of the affair. If you're going to shackle a player by not offering him a contract, then you shouldn't block his transfer somewhere else.
Showing his dedication, he didn't "throw away" this season in anger, he played even harder and was by far the best player for Bordeaux. So Triaud should thank him for being an upright person and not faking an injury or throwing games in disgust.
*anger face* Triaud is the one who has acted in a "misguided" way, not Marouane. If you truly like a player and want him to stay, you do everything in your power to make him happy. They left him twisting in the wind during the summer and waited UNTIL JANUARY to make it right. How would that make you feel if you were Marouane?
At first I was sad that Marouane was leaving Bordeaux but after reading these moronic statements by their president, I'm glad he's leaving!
Come on, Marouane! Make Arsenal proud!
This photo was taken last summer when Bordeaux were celebrating their Ligue 1 Championship with the city. Triaud obviously appreciated Marouane's efforts...but not enough to extend his contract! :(
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