Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh will be a great signing for Arsenal. Liverpool were also in the running to sign Chamakh, who has reportedly agreed a £50,000-a-week four-year deal with the Gunners.

"We looked last summer at Chamakh and he's a very good player - he would have been a great addition to the squad," Bruce told the Sunday Sun.

"We tried to sign him but it was a non-starter really, because Bordeaux didn't want to sell. They wanted to keep him this season, play him in the Champions League and possibly see if he would sign a new deal with them.

"We were never really that close to signing him because we never really got near agreeing a fee with Bordeaux - they said he wasn't for sale.

"If he's gone on to sign for Arsenal, that shows how good he is and we wish him the best of luck.

"He's a very good striker who will relish playing at a club like Arsenal."