Bordeaux are ready to hold onto Bosman prospect Marouane Chamakh.

The Mail on Sunday says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is desperate for a new striker and a back-up centre-half, but while hit man Chamakh remains top of the Emirates wish-list, Bordeaux's continuing involvement in the Champions League has convinced the Arsenal manager there can be no deal in January.

Although Chamakh's contract is up at the end of the season, Bordeaux calculate that the £2million they can make from qualifying for the Champions League quarter-final outweighs any negligible fee they would receive next month.

Chamakh is likely to open negotiations with the Gunners ahead of a June move.