Manager paves way for Chamakh’s move to Arsenal

Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc has paved the way for Chamakh’s move to Arsenal saying he will not let the Morrocon international to leave for a small club, but if a big club comes in (apparently Arsenal who are a big club have made a move for him) he will not stop Chamakh from leaving:

“I am going to do everything to make sure he does not go to just any club. With him, things are clear. After the season he’s had, if he has to go, it will be to a big club. That’s why I am standing in the way of a departure to Sunderland.

“I am not going to change what I said to him at the start of the year. If an offer comes from a big club, I will not stand in the way. The door is half-open.”

So as Arsene Wenger has already enquired about him, one can guess the move is on the cards now. So Bordeaux’s president’s statement that finalising the move could drag on like a soap opera is a kind of contradiction as the manager is willing to let go easily.

Wenger makes official approach over Chamakh

Arsene Wenger is in search of a striker to replace the departed Emmanuel Adebayor and has talked to Bordeaux’s president regarding the possibility of Chamakh joining Arsenal.

Arsenal fans would feel Arsenal need a holding midfielder or even a centre back more than a striker considering the long list of top quality  strikers that Arsenal has despite Emmanuel Adebayor’s departure. But Wenger, it seems, thinks otherwise and is looking for a striker.

This is what Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud had to say:

“Wenger has called me.

“He told me he has a list of forwards and Marouane is one of the names on it.

“However, I expect this could be a complex case which could become a soap opera.”

The last sentence makes one fear this could drag down till the deadline. So hopefully Wenger goes for Huntelaar instead because considering Real are desperately looking to offload him, it shouldn’t take that long and hence Wenger can make moves for some holding midfielders.

Redknapp predicts reunion of Viera and Wenger

Viera - Could he be coming back home?

Tottenham Hotspurs boss Harry Redknapp has been trying to earn the wrath of Arsenal fans by attempting to lure Arsenal legend Patrick Viera to Spurs. But since the reported entry of Arsene Wenger into the chase, Viera is most likely to have a reunion with his old boss. And Harry Redknapp feels the same; that if Arsenal are in it then surely Viera would opt for them:

“It’s surprising but I had heard nothing about it,”

“I’m sure he’ll be a good signing for whoever gets him.

“He belonged to Arsenal. He was fantastic there so if an opportunity to go back came along, I’m sure he would take it.”

If the Frenchman does return, Arsenal will again have a player of the “Invincibles”. The last of those remaining at Arsenal, Kolo Toure, left for Manchester City yesterday.