Chamakh 'staying put'

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh insists he will stay with the Ligue 1 champions until the end of the season.

Chamakh has long been linked with a move away from the Stade Chaban Delmas and made no secret in the summer of his desire to play in the Barclays Premier League.

Arsenal were one of the many clubs reportedly interested in the 25-year-old and speculation is rife that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is set to make a renewed effort to sign him when the window opens again, with Robin van Persie likely to be absent for the rest of the season.

However, Chamakh claims he is not going anywhere in January.

“I’m going to finish my season at Bordeaux,” he told France Football. “Honestly, in my head I don’t want to relive what I lived through last summer.

“I don’t want to see my name circulating during the transfer window.

“I’ve had enough of reading or hearing rumours that they are lacking a centre-forward somewhere.”

Chamakh’s contract expires in the summer and the Morocco striker will then be able to leave on a free transfer.

A big-money deal is now on the table for Chamakh – last season’s leading goalscorer – as Bordeaux attempt not only to keep him at the club but also avoid losing him for nothing.