Chamakh still keen on move

15 September 2009 12:30
Marouane Chamakh insists his heart is still set on moving to England ahead of Bordeaux's UEFA Champions League opener against Juventus. The French champions kick-off their European campaign with a tough-looking opener against Turin giants Juve on Tuesday night. While Chamakh is adamant he is concentrating on the job in hand, he admits at the back of his mind is a summer of protracted transfer speculation. Arsenal, Sunderland and West Ham all expressed strong interest in his services in the close-season but Bordeaux, loath to sell, managed to fend off their advances. Moroccan Chamakh was open in expressing his desire to leave and talk of engaging in contract negotiations over an extension appear to be well wide of the mark. "About my summer? Everything has not been erased," he told L'Equipe. "I try to step back and get focused on the current campaign. I tell myself I can achieve a great season, and the start of the CL helps me a lot. It was the words of my coach to stay at Bordeaux: he told me I have a lot of things to play for here. "I dreaded talks about prolonging my stay. But neither my agent, nor the club told me about it so far. "I know my officials, but they let me work in peace. They didn't come to put me under pressure. Anyway, I don't want to change my mind so far, I keep my decision to not prolong." Chamakh is hopeful of making his name on Europe's biggest stage having been surprised he is not well known in England, upon being linked with a switch to the Premier League. "I am dreaming about scoring one goal in the CL, I know it is essential. "To become famous, those six CL matches are more important than a whole season in Le Championnat, that is crazy! "I have realised I was not well-known in England. I was a little surprised, but that is no worry to me. Frankly, more than a goal, I am dreaming to reach the knock-out stage, all together. It would be huge!"

Source: SKY_Sports