Chamakh heading to Arsenal

Arsenal are finally closing in on the signing of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after his proposed move to Liverpool broke down, according to a report in The Times this morning.

Liverpool joined Arsenal in the race for Chamakh last month, West Ham and Inter Milan have also been tracking the player.

According to reports Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had offered Chamakh a lucrative deal which his advisers had urged him to sign.

Matt Hughes in The Times reports: "For most of last month Rafael Benítez, the club's manager, appeared to be favourite to seal the deal. However, the Spaniard was left angry and disappointed yesterday."

Hughes adds in the daily broadsheet: "Benítez, whose transfer dealings have been undermined by the Anfield hierarchy in the past, expected things to be different when Christian Purslow took over as managing director. However, sources close to the player suggested that Liverpool mismanaged the deal, dragging their heels and being too fussy with their contractual demands."

Chamakh has long been linked with a move to Arsenal and the London club are beleived to be close to agreeing a five year deal worth 60,000 pounds a week.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hinted at an agreement with Chamakh in a French television interview over the weekend.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.