Marseille hopeful of Cisse deal

Marseille president Pape Diouf is hopeful a deal to sign Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse can be agreed before Wednesday’s transfer deadline.

Diouf believes Cisse is the man to transform Marseille’s season after a dismal start which has seen them slump to the bottom of the table after failing to win any of their opening five matches.

Cisse’s availability may be decided by factors out of Marseille’s control, however, with Liverpool reluctant to sell unless they bring Michael Owen back to Anfield from Real Madrid.

“It’s complicated with Cisse,” Diouf said. “But this is not over.

“I am waiting to see how things go but as I have always said, it’s a complicated situation.”

However, Marseille coach Jean Fernandez believes the club’s needs would be better served by bringing in a central defender rather than a striker.

“We need a central defender, that’s what I want and I have already told the managers Pape Diouf and Jose Anigo,” Fernandez said.