Chamakh holds talks with English trio
BORDEAUX - Girondins Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh has held talks with three English Premier League clubs - Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur - but denied media reports he had tied himself to Arsenal from next season.
"Some said today I have signed for Arsenal. I deny it categorically. It's true there are contacts with English clubs, including Arsenal, but I deny there's a deal," said Chamakh.
The 26-year-old Morocco international added that he had also held talks with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
"The more it goes, the less I see myself playing for Bordeaux next season", said Chamakh, whose contract with the French champions runs until June.
Chamakh has been on the Gunners' radar since last summer when a host of other Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, West Ham and Blackburn, were believed to be keen to secure his services.
Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger admitted that he was on the lookout for a new forward during the winter transfer window after losing the services of Robin van Persie, Eduardo, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott through injury.
However, speaking ahead of the Gunners' crucial clash with Liverpool - he stated that he had not made a move to sign the Bordeaux goal-getter, who has netted 67 league goals for the French champions, saying:
"I believe he talks to many clubs, that he is entitled to do.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"He is free to sign a pre-contract. He is free to sign where he wants but I cannot interfere in that.
"We are talking to nobody."
Tottenham Hotspur supremo Harry Redknapp was linked with a move for Chamakh last summer, but more recently was tipped to sign AC Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and former Manchester United hit-man Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko made no secret of his desire to leave White Hart Lane during January.
But he ended up going no where, with Robbie Keane instead the man to move on, joining Celtic on loan with former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen heading in the opposite direction.
Liverpool - who face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday - had emerged as Arsenal's main rivals for Chamakh's signature.
The current financial restrictions at Anfield have prevented manager Rafael Benitez from making big-money signings.
Having recruited Maxi Rodriguez on a free transfer last month, the Reds are believed to be close to sealing a pre-contract agreement with Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic and are hoping to conclude a similar deal for Chamakh.
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.