Marseilles president Pape Diouf claims to have turned down an offer from Manchester City for former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse.
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is known to have money to spend and has confirmed he is keen to bring in a big-name forward during the January transfer window.
Cisse moved to Marseilles from Liverpool in 2006, originally on a long-term loan deal before making the switch permanent last summer.
Despite suffering a horrendous broken leg in a World Cup warm-up match for France, which prevented him making his debut for l'OM until December, Cisse has been a success in the port town even though he has suffered inconsistent form lately.
And as a result, Diouf says the club will not be selling him.
"He is wanted, that is for sure," the Marseilles president said.
"I myself have been approached by Manchester City [about Cisse] but I turned it down categorically."
While stating his desire to hold onto the French international, Diouf admitted he could leave in the future - but not before the end of the season at the very least.
"I want to be clear - Djibril Cisse will not leave," Diouf continued. "He will stay until the end of the season.
"I have always wanted to rediscover the Djibril that we signed, the efficient Djibril.
"I have never doubted his abilities, his qualities. He got through difficulties last year and I have no doubt that he will get out of them again this season.
"With everything that he has had to endure, read, see and hear, I understand that it piles the pressure on him to leave, having been contacted by an English club that is among the leading teams in their league.
"But when he and myself discussed this, he understood my position - he understood that I will not let him leave and he has no problem with me.
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is known to have money to spend and has confirmed he is keen to bring in a big-name forward during the January transfer window.
Cisse moved to Marseilles from Liverpool in 2006, originally on a long-term loan deal before making the switch permanent last summer.
Despite suffering a horrendous broken leg in a World Cup warm-up match for France, which prevented him making his debut for l'OM until December, Cisse has been a success in the port town even though he has suffered inconsistent form lately.
And as a result, Diouf says the club will not be selling him.
"He is wanted, that is for sure," the Marseilles president said.
"I myself have been approached by Manchester City [about Cisse] but I turned it down categorically."
While stating his desire to hold onto the French international, Diouf admitted he could leave in the future - but not before the end of the season at the very least.
"I want to be clear - Djibril Cisse will not leave," Diouf continued. "He will stay until the end of the season.
"I have always wanted to rediscover the Djibril that we signed, the efficient Djibril.
"I have never doubted his abilities, his qualities. He got through difficulties last year and I have no doubt that he will get out of them again this season.
"With everything that he has had to endure, read, see and hear, I understand that it piles the pressure on him to leave, having been contacted by an English club that is among the leading teams in their league.
"But when he and myself discussed this, he understood my position - he understood that I will not let him leave and he has no problem with me.
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