Sport/Football/France/Morocco

Chamakh sets sights on dream move to England

by Mark Rodden

Article published on the 2009-07-20 Latest update 2009-07-29 11:19 TU

Marouane Chamakh featured for Bordeaux in the Champions League last season
(Photo: Reuters)

French league champions Bordeaux look set to lose a key player ahead of the new season. Moroccan international Marouane Chamakh says he has agreed terms with four English Premier League clubs – although reported interest from Arsenal has failed to result in a concrete offer.

Wantaway striker Marouane Chamakh has reiterated his desire to leave Bordeaux for the English Premier League but says he doesn’t expect to join Arsenal.

Speculation that Arsene Wenger would make a move to sign the French-born Moroccan international increased after the Arsenal boss sanctioned the transfer of Togolese star Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City. But Chamakh told French sports newspaper L’Equipe on Monday that he had yet to receive an offer from the Gunners.

Instead, he said he had reached agreement with Tottenham, Fulham, Blackburn and Sunderland. “With my agent, we’ve agreed terms with several English teams who are ready to sign me,” Chamakh said. “They’re just waiting for my decision. I’m studying the different offers. When I’ve made my choice, the club will contact Bordeaux.”

With 13 league goals, Chamakh was Bordeaux’s joint top scorer last season as Laurent Blanc’s side won the French title for the first time in 10 years.

The club were due to offer him an improved contract on Monday but the 25-year-old said he is determined to leave. “I know that Bordeaux can match the terms I’ve been offered in England,” he said. “But that changes nothing for me. I want a new challenge. I have a soft spot for the English Premier League. I’ve been at Bordeaux all my career - I really want a change of scene."

Chamakh is anxious to tie up a move before Thursday, when Bordeaux travel to Montreal in Canada to play against French cup winners Guingamp in the Trophée des Champions, the French season’s curtain raiser.

“Everybody – the President, Laurent Blanc and myself – we’d like a decision to be made before then. Frankly, I’m not in the right frame of mind to go to Canada. My head is in England,” he added.