Wenger refuses to budge on Chamakh
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has declared his interest in Marouane Chamakh to be over, insisting he will not be held to ransom by Bordeaux over the Morocco striker.
The French champions have rejected a bid of £6m from the Gunners, with president Jean-Louis Triaud demanding closer to £15m despite the 25-year-old entering the final year of his contract. But Wenger is refusing to budge on his valuation of Chamakh, amid reports he has turned his attention to Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, a long-standing target.
“In five months, if he doesn’t prolong his contract, Chamakh will be free to talk to any club and Bordeaux won’t get anything. In the current context, to me, it is over. Let’s say that at the moment it is terminated,” said Wenger. “I like Chamakh, he is a forward that attracts me, but I already have Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Robin Van Persie, Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo.
“I am in no rush. My offer seems fair to me, taking the market into account. Chamakh would be good, but there are other options should we wish to pursue them.”
Chamakh has made no secret of his desperation to move to the Emirates Stadium and Triaud has hinted he could be drawn back to the negotiating table. “I’m an admirer of Marouane’s qualities and that is why I set the price so high,” he said. “I will admit the fee I quoted is excessive, but Arsenal’s offer is still a long way short. I won’t say that I will hold out for €18m £15m, but Bordeaux need to benefit from this deal as well.”
Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos, meanwhile, looks bound for Everton. The Merseyside club yesterday said they were in talks with the Gunners over the Swiss.