Want-away Wiltord misses training

Sylvain Wiltord: Persistently linked with Arsenal

French striker Sylvain Wiltord has missed the start of pre-season training with French side Bordeaux, fuelling rumours that he wants to leave the club.

"He is not here, full stop. I don't have anything to say about it," said Bordeaux chairman Jean-Louis Triaud.

Manager Elie Baup added: "Sylvain is not here. It's just a fact, I have no explanations for his absence."

The French daily newspaper L'Equipe reported that Wiltord was still on holiday in Martinique with his friend and fellow French international, Nicolas Anelka.

The striker, who helped

Sylvain is not here. I have no explanations for his absence

  Elie Baup, Bordeaux manager

France win Euro 2000 by scoring an injury-time equaliser in the final against Italy, has said he wants to leave Bordeaux and has threatened not to resume training.

According to Wiltord's relatives, he has been in contact with Arsenal, who top the list of clubs he'd like to join.

L'Equipe state that Bordeaux value the player in the region of £14m and although the English club are unwilling to meet that valuation Italian side Inter Milan have already tabled a bid of £12.4m.