Chamakh set to decide destination
Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh - reportedly wanted by Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United - has revealed he will make a decision regarding his future before the end of the January transfer window.
The highly-rated Moroccan forward - who has scored 50 league goals for the French champions - was the subject of the longest running transfer saga of last summer, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland just three of a long list of clubs believed to be chasing his signature.
However, the 26-year-old ended up going nowhere after the Ligue 1 club slapped a hefty price-tag on his head, and he has since enhanced his reputation after scoring twice in the Champions League as les Girondins finished top of their group that also included Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Chamakh's contract expires at the end of the current campaign, fuelling speculation that Laurent Blanc's side will cash in on their prized asset, with the Gunners once again linked with the front-man, as well as Liverpool and European champions Barcelona.
And the in-demand goal-getter has revealed that he is close to deciding his next destination, and will inform Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud by the end of the month.
"I’d like my situation to be fixed quickly, both for me and the club," he told RMC Radio.
"If I’m not staying I want the club [Bordeaux] to have time to replace me. I’m still thinking about it, it’s not an easy decision which you take on a whim.
"I still have two to three weeks to sort things out. Whatever happens, by the end of January I will give my answer to Triaud before speaking to the media."
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he is keen on recruiting a new forward having lost the services of both Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner through injury, with attacking midfielder Andrei Arshavin converted into a makeshift centre-forward as a result.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is also reported to have made a move for the Moroccan, with the Spaniard - under immense pressure following a dismal run of form - now set to be without star striker Fernando Torres, who requires knee surgery, for six weeks.
While Manchester United supremo Sir Alex Ferguson may be tempted to snaffle the much-sought-after Chamakh to Old Trafford ahead of his title rivals to partner Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen in attack, following the news that Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov could need a knee operation.
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.