Marouane Chamakh and Arsenal Ignore Overtures Offering Striker Bordeaux Return

Rumors of Marouane Chamakh's impending Arsenal exit may not be as realistic as many think. The president of French club Bordeaux has unsuccessfully offered Chamakh an escape from North London, according to Reuters.

"In the last two months I have been leaving messages with Marouane," Jean-Louis Triaud told radio station Gold FM. "I also left messages with (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger but I got no answer.

"His silence shows probably that he still hopes he will make it at Arsenal," Triaud said.

Chamakh became a professional at Bordeaux, breaking into the team in 2003 as a 19-year-old. He fired the club to the Ligue 1 championship in 2009 before joining Arsenal on a free transfer in 2010. 

He started his Arsenal career in stunning form, scoring seven goals in his first 15 league games. He added three more in UEFA Champions League action.

Chamakh's performance and confidence dipped when Robin Van Persie returned from injury at the end of 2010. He took the 27-year-old Moroccan's place in the Arsenal attack is enjoying the most fruitful period in his career at Chamakh's expense. Chamakh has been ineffective in sporadic appearances since he lost his place in the starting 11, having made just one start this season. 

He has fallen behind Van Persie and Park Chu-Young in the attack. Rumors persist that Chamakh wants to leave Arsenal, but he has made no public statements about his future.

If Triaud wants to purchase the player he is going about it the wrong way. Arsenal and Bordeaux must agree on a price before he can negotiate directly with his former employee. 

Photo via Flickr/DamilareOlowoniyi.11488058