So near, yet so far.

Klaas-jan-huntelaarajax1nl

Arsenal are set to make an improved £7.5million bid for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.

The French club felt the original £6m was ridiculous for a player they valued at £15m, but the Gunners have played hardball on player who is out of contract next summer.

Bordeaux are now desperate to do a deal after conceding that Chamakh will not sign a new contract and they are aware that the 25-year-old has his heart set on north London despite competing interest from Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.

Real Madrid special adviser Zinedine Zidane has also told journalists that Arsenal bid £17m for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, but the Holland striker, also a target for Tottenham Hotspur, is closing in on a move to AC Milan. (Daily Mail)

If indeed Zinedine Zidane isn’t lying just for the sake of it then in many ways I am pleased that Arsene Wenger did indeed put in a big bid for Dutch International Klaas Jan Huntelaar but it’s a shame it wasn’t enough to persuade the Real Madrid man to sign and it looks today like he is about to complete a move to AC Milan instead.

As for Chamakh, he looks a decent player with good potential but presumably he won’t be a first choice starter as the likes of RVP and Eduardo must still be in front of the Frenchman when it comes to a first team spot.

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