Chamakh assures Arsenal they are still in his thoughts

Either Marouane Chamakh reads The First Post over his morning croissant or by a freak coincidence the French frontman chose yesterday to reassure the Arsenal faithful that the club was still very much on his mind – a day after we announced the Bordeaux striker's move to the Emirates was in doubt.

The 26-year-old – who scored Bordeaux's goal in their 3-1 defeat against Lyon in last night's Champions League encounter – has been linked to Arsenal for several weeks, with several papers confidently proclaiming earlier in the month that he had agreed a five-year deal with the Gunners, which would see him rake in a cool £50,000-a-week. Then the speculation waned and it was reported that he was having second thoughts.

But yesterday the Moroccan-born Chamakh made it clear he still finds himself dreaming about running out at the Emirates. "Do I already have Arsenal on my mind? A little, but our end of the season is so important that I can't plan for life after Bordeaux," he said in an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe. "I took a risk by not prolonging my contract [with Bordeaux] because I could get injured at any moment. It is the first time I will be a free agent."

But with Bordeaux facing an uphill struggle to qualify for the Champions League following last night's drubbing at the hands of Lyon, it appears Chamakh has moved a little closer to making the dream of playing for Arsenal a reality.

Meanwhile another French newspaper, Le Parisien, reports that ageing Arsenal defender William Gallas is the subject of an offer from perennial underachievers Paris Saint-Germain. The French club, who last won a trophy of any note in 1994, have had the temerity to approach the 32-year-old Gallas with a view to bringing him to Paris to see out the end of his career.

Gallas has been linked with a move to Roma – where he would be reunited with his old boss at Chelsea, Claudio Ranieri - but Arsene Wenger is said to be keen to hold on to Gallas, even going so far as to break Arsenal's policy of only offering one-year extensions to players over 30 by tabling a two-year contract extension. But according to Le Parisien Gallas met with PSG representative Bruno Skropeta in Paris recently – where Gallas was having treatment for a calf strain – and the centre-back was invited to return to France. It's unlikely that PSG would be able to match Arsenal financially – and they certainly can't compare to the Gunners in success and prestige – but the Paris club are pining their hopes on Gallas wanting to end his player career at home.

The Daily Mail reports that Liverpool are chasing Real Madrid legend Raul. Like Gallas, Raul's best days are behind him but the Spaniard still has a bit of life left in his 32-year-old legs and the Reds want to bring that experience to Anfield.

Raul is no longer guaranteed a starting spot in the Real team – despite playing more than 700 games for the Galacticos – and he's indicated in the past that he would relish the challenge of the Premier League. The Mail says that Liverpool are lining up a two-year contract with manager Rafa Benitez hoping to land Raul on a free transfer. He is currently tied to Real on a 'lifetime contract' but Liverpool are reportedly cautiously optimistic that this could be renegotiated, particularly as Manuel Pellegrini is said to see Raul as a bit-part player.

Finally, on this Veterans' Day special, the Daily Mirror reports that Chelsea pensioner Deco might soon be on his way to Brazilian club Fluminese. The 32-year-old Deco, who was born in Brazil but has won over 70 caps for Portugal, is tied to Stamford Bridge for another year after arriving from Barcelona in 2007, but the Mirror says Fluminese want  to lure the midfielder to Brazil for a last hurrah before the body finally packs up. Deco's agent Acaz Felleger admitted his player was keen to play in Brazil but put the ball firmly in Chelsea's court. "Contact has been made [with Fluminese]  but there has been nothing formal yet," he is quoted as saying.  "We have had other propositions from Brazil but we will wait until the end of the season so Deco can concentrate on football."

"The decision rests with Chelsea but maybe they will allow him to go as one day he would like to return to Brazil to be close to his family." ·