Premiership clubs chasing me, Chamakh claims

Bordeaux’s in-demand striker Marouane Chamakh claimed on Monday a host of English Premier League sides were queuing up to sign him for next season.

The Morocco international told French sports daily L’Equipe that his “dearest wish” was to play in the Premiership even though he has been offered a contract extension and pay rise by the French champions.

The 25-year-old, scorer of 13 goals last season, said his agent was in touch with a number of clubs, among them reportedly Arsenal, Sunderland, Blackburn, Tottenham and Fulham.

“We have agreements with several English clubs who want to take me on, and it is up to me to make the next move,” he said.

“I want a new challenge and I have a soft spot for the English league. I spent all my playing career at Bordeaux and now my strong desire is to seek a new challenge,” he told the newspaper.

Asked which club he might join the Moroccan said: “I am studying the various offers and looking at which destination would be right for me.”

Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc is taking the squad to Canada on a pre-season tour on Thursday and Chamakh indicated a decision might be reached before then.

Rumours this month of a 14 million euro move for the player by Sunderland have been firmly dismissed by Bordeaux.

Former French champions Lyon said they would welcome the Moroccan playmaker “with open arms” should he change his mind and decide to stay in France.

Club chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, speaking after presenting new signings Michael Bastos and Aly Cissokho, said it would be “regrettable” if Chamakh were to leave the French league.

“Nobody seems to be asking questions about this deplorable tendency by French clubs (…) not to match these really big transfers here in France and it is a pity,” he said.

“We pulled off an amazing coup with Bastos (transferred from Lille for 18 million euros) but I must admit it was very complicated,” added the Lyon chairman.