Olympique de Marseille

[Inara]

I think Pape Diouf is a great character, but sometimes he makes me

What Marseille are doing right now is what Lyon did with Ribery and Piquionne. Those times, Diouf severely condemned Lyon for being evil, tyrannical, etc. I love that he's following the Aulas method though.

[Trim]

Looking nice, especially the middle one.

[Jager]

I don't like it. Its too "busy" and modern for me.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

First one was nice.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

According to reports emanating from the French press, Rennes stopper Jacques Faty is heading to Marseille.

Faty has previously been linked with Italian giants Juventus, who have secured their return to Serie A, but it now looks as though a move to Marseille beckons.

Marseille director of football Jose Anigo is known to be eager to bring in defensive reinforcements in the summer and it is Faty that is believed to be a name at the top of his wish list.

The performances of Ronald Zubar and Renato Civelli this season at the heart of Marseille's rearguard have not been well received, and Anigo has set about making changes for next term.

Should Faty indeed make the move then it is expected he will vie with Zubar and Civelli for the right to partner Julien Rodriguez, who has impressed, next season.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Faty confirms l'OM switch

Rennes defender Jacques Faty has confirmed he will be playing for Marseille next season.

The 23-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, has put pen-to-paper on a pre-contract with the Ligue 1 giants.

Faty's switch will be confirmed next week and the stopper is excited at the prospect of joining Marseille.

"Marseille have been watching me for a long time," he told But. "I met (director of football) Jose Anigo at the last Under 21 European Championship.

"I was the kind of player he was looking for, so he asked (chairman) Pape Diouf to sign me. As I was out of contract he was really interested in me.

"For the moment I have just signed a pre-contract because I am not allowed to sign officially yet. It will be made official next week.

"Marseille are a top club. A club who get the most media exposure in France. This is a big chance for me.

"When Pape Diouf and Jose Anigo come to see you, and you dream of playing for them, it gives you great motivation."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

L'OM confirm double swoop

Marseille have confirmed the signings of Rennes defender Jacques Faty and Libourne midfielder Vincent Gragnic on three-year deals.

After sealing UEFA Champions League football for next season, l'OM have wasted little time in strengthening their squad and had already tied up deals for the two players before the end of the season.

However, their arrival at Stade Velodrome has now been officially confirmed by the French club.

Under 21 international Faty arrives on a free transfer after letting his contract expire at Rennes, and the defender reportedly shunned interest from both Juventus and Roma to join Marseille.

Gragnic - who exclusively revealed to skysports.com he was close to joining l'OM on 10th May - is the second Libourne player to move to Marseille in two years after winger Mathieu Valbuena.

"It is fantastic to join the biggest French club," Gragnic told football365.fr.

"It is a big step and now it is up to me to show them they have been right to come and take me."

Faty added, in a similar vein: "It is the top! I am given the chance to join the most famous French club. It is also a big boost to play at Marseille."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Ghanaian midfielder Dede Ayew has signed a three-year deal with Marseille.

The 17-year-old, son of former African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele (pictured), joined Marseille as a trainee two years ago.

And now, according to the Ghanaian Football Association's official website, he has been given the chance to carve out a career in Europe.

Dede will hope to emulate the achievements of his father, who also played for Marseille.

Pele won the European Cup with Marseille in 1993 and went on to play for clubs in Italy and Germany, as well as earning 73 caps for his country.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Marseille and Liverpool are close to agreeing a new loan deal for Djibril Cisse, according to L'Equipe.

The France international striker spent last season at the Stade Velodrome and is happy to remain for a further season after l'OM qualified for the UEFA Champions League.

Bolton and Benfica have also been linked with a bid for Cisse, but it appears Marseille are set to reach an accord with The Reds.

The deal is likely to include the option for Marseille to sign the 25-year-old front man for a pre-determined fee next summer.

Barcelona's Ludovic Giuly is another priority for l'OM, who are on the lookout for a replacement for Franck Ribery.

Monaco also want the Barca attacker but Marseille sport director Jose Anigo hopes to steal a march on their rivals.

"We are in talks. We are trying but it is not that easy," Anigo said.

Meanwhile, Anigo has revealed he is close to capturing Karim Ziani, having agreed a deal with the winger.

But further talks with Sochaux chairman Jean-Claude Plessis are still required before the move can be finalised.

Anigo added in L'Equipe: "We have an agreement with the player and his agent. Now we are waiting for talks with the Sochaux chairman."

However, former Milan and Paris Saint Germain midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo will not replace Ziani at Sochaux, according to Plessis.

"We dreamt during a moment, but eventually the reality caught up with us," he told Direct 8.

Source: Skysports

[kennethlindheim]

Can't Liverpool just sell him? I'm sure there are clubs out there who are willing to pay a significant fee for his services.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I wonder what they are doing...There are several clubs who have show interest for him this summer.To wait another year to sell him will only turn to lesser money for him.

[alansmithy14]

liverpool shud just sell him or else they are just gonna hold on to him just in case there is a injury crisis with the strikers or he does rly well this season

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Cisse have no chance to play for Liverpool again aslong Rafa is on charge.He can only hope Rafa leaves.That's his only chance.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Auxerre midfielder Benoit Cheyrou is set to join Marseille after the two clubs reached an agreement over the player's transfer.

The former AJA captain will undergo medical examinations at the end of the week and is expected to sign a four-year deal with L'OM.

Marseille were in competition with Rennes, where Cheyrou's brother Bruno plays, to secure the 26-year-old's signature.

Marseille chairman Pape Diouf said: "I am happy with the arrival of Benoit Cheyrou at Marseille.

"He is a player with character and talent that will be able to well balance our midfield."

Meanwhile, Lionel Mathis has also left Auxerre.

The midfielder will have a medical and is set to sign a four-year contract at Sochaux.

Les Lionceaux chairman Jean-Claude Plessis said: "He is a versatile player that I like very much, and coach Frederic Hantz appreciates him too."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Marseille have completed a triple raid on the transfer market, including a deal for Monaco captain Gael Givet.

The defender is joined at Stade Velodrome by Le Mans full-back Laurent Bonnart and Auxerre midfielder Benoit Cheyrou.

Givet has signed a four-year contract with Marseille after bringing an end to his career-long association with Monaco.

Bonnart has agreed a three-year deal with l'OM after successfully passing a medical with the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

The third arrival on the South Coast on Thursday is Cheyrou, who follows in the footsteps of his brother Bruno by donning a Marseille shirt.

Marseille are also still trying to finalise a deal to keep Djibril Cisse on loan from Liverpool for a further season.

Source: Skysports