Gunners boss insists Bordeaux striker's price is still too high
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is yet to abandon his pursuit of Marouane Chamakh, but insists he is not prepared to meet Bordeaux's current asking price.
Wenger has confirmed his interest in Chamakh as he explores bringing in attacking reinforcements following the sale of Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City.
Chamakh is keen to leave Bordeaux for the Premier League, but the French champions' demands have deterred Wenger from completing a deal.
Bordeaux are originally thought to have wanted 18million euros (£15.5m), with reports suggesting the price has subsequently been lowered to 12million euros (£10.2m).
However, the figure is still more than Wenger is willing to pay and he is waiting to see if Bordeaux will lower their demands any further.
Excellent player"The fee asked is too high," Wenger told L'Equipe. "We have to respect Bordeaux's decision.
"The player is under contract, so Bordeaux are making the decision. They can ask whatever fee they want.
"Will I abandon that trail? I don't know. I will give myself a few days to think about it.
"He is an excellent player that works for his team and makes the other players good. They are the kind of qualities that we like."
Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc, however, has questioned whether Arsenal really want to sign Chamakh, who has also been linked with Blackburn and Sunderland.
Blanc told France Football: "Do Arsenal really want Chamakh? It is exactly the question that I ask myself and I believe no.
"Frankly, I believe if they really want him, he could join them within 48 hours.
"I would like him to stay. Early last season I told him, when he already wanted to leave for England, 'Have another good season with us. If you score between 10 and 15 goals, you will be in a strong position to leave for a big club'.
"I gave him my word and I told him I would let him leave. I am keen to respect what I said."
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