Source: Daily_Mail
Angry Chamakh sets Monday deadline for West Ham or Arsenal to save him
Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh is all but resigned to missing out on a move to England.
The Morocco international is dismayed that his club rejected a bid from Arsenal and expects West Ham United's pursuit to fail, but he will not completely give up on a move until Monday.
The Hammers are understood to have upped their bid to £6million for the 25-year-old, but the reported refusal of James Collins to agree a £5million Stoke City move has put the Chamakh deal in doubt.
'Of course the transfer window isn't shut but I am pessimistic about my chances of going,' he told French newspaper L'Equipe.
'West Ham are the latest to come in. It's only in the past week that they have shown an interest.
'But I am seeing what happened with Arsenal all over again - the problem is Bordeaux. So it is very tricky.'
Bordeaux were asking £15million for a player who is out of contract next summer, but they have been forced to re-evaluate after Chamakh insisted he would not sign a new contract under any circumstances.
'I wanted to leave this summer, not play a season more,' he said. 'I still fear being trapped, imprisoned if I extend my contract.
'Today I have a one-year contract, I have the keys in my hand and I like that. I want everything done by my conditions.'
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he was keen on Chamakh and may wait until next summer to sign him on a free.
Sunderland also made a move but Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc insisted he would prevent a move to a club he claimed were inferior to his French champions.
'As much as I managed to understand the attitude of the club about refusing Sunderland, I was surprised there hadn't been an arrangement with Arsenal, even if it was a small offer. It is Arsenal after all,' said Chamakh.
'So, there I was disappointed. I am still, but I have moved on. I had to rediscover my smile and the pleasure of playing.'
Chamakh has started the new Ligue 1 campaign in impressive style, scoring three goals in Bordeaux's opening two matches.
He is continuing to put himself in the shop window with his performances, but he knows sealing his dream move to England depends entirely on the attitude of Les Girondins.
'It's for that reason that I no longer want to see clubs directly - Bordeaux have to firstly come to an agreement with them. Then I will begin talks after,' he said.
Chamakh claims he will commit himself to Bordeaux for the rest of the season if he has not found a new club by Monday.
'I am going to wait until Monday to announce that I will stay,' he said.
Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur showed interest in Chamakh earlier this summer but were put off by the price-tag.
