Diouf shocked by Balde rejection

Marseille president Pape Diouf has expressed his shock at Bobo Balde’s dramatic change of heart over a projected move to the French club.

Diouf was convinced that the 29-year-old Celtic defender would sign for them with sporting director Jose Anigo saying: “The Balde deal should be done. I’ve sldom seen somebody who has such a desire to join us.”

But the Guinean international returned to Glasgow this week having failed to agree terms, leaving Marseille officials stunned.

Diouf told his club’s official website: “He will certainly not come. There is a big difference between his wishes and our possibilities. Unless something unpredictable happens, I think the file is closed… the man was willing to come and it is possible that his relatives made him change his will.”