Marseille can make a move for Diouf

[Kastra]

May 6 2004

By Andy Hunter, Daily Post


NEW Marseille general manager Pape Diouf has revealed the French club do have the financial muscle to strengthen this summer - increasing namesake El Hadji's prospects of a Stade Velodrome move.

Liverpool's Diouf, (left), has been strongly linked with a return to Le Championnat this summer after failing to impress at Anfield and incurring Gerard Houllier's wrath on several occasions.

Marseille emerged as a possible destination after club officials met Diouf's agent the night of Liverpool's acrimonious UEFA Cup exit.

The Senegal international, was thought to be beyond the UEFA Cup semi-finalists price-range, even though Liverpool are prepared to take a huge loss on the striker signed for £10million from Lens in 2002.

But last night Pape Diouf insisted Marseille do have money to spend and favour players with Le Championnat experience.

Marseille's general manager, who is continuing in his role as an agent and declared his intention to keep Didier Drogba at the Velodrome, said: "We have to hire players with recognised talent, and most of them who are playing in Le Championnat.

"That is our philosophy. Christophe Bouchet (Marseille president) told me the club will have the means to get a competitive team together in the summer."

Paul Harrison, meanwhile, has accepted Liverpool's offer of a new contract and pledged his future to the club for another season.

The young goalkeeper was told he was being released this summer only for his subsequent progress to persuade the club otherwise.

Harrison said: "I signed the contract last week and am absolutely over the moon to be staying at Liverpool."

[Stevedox]

How much you think you'll get?

I'd say around £3m mark.

You need to put a % of next fee in there as well just incase he shines and moves on.

[Shanks]

Praise be, take the little mercenary.

[redefining_form]

Well you can go, see the back of you and I'll be happy.

[Stevedox]

Is there really no decent African Footballers in the world today?

Coz how that little charva cok won the award beats me!!!

[Crazyhorse1977]

I heard its £2.5M. Thank god, even thats daylight robbery.

[Stevedox]

Originally Posted by Crazyhorse1977

I heard its £2.5M. Thank god, even thats daylight robbery.

GH wants sacking for that alone.

How much you pay?

It was over £10m wern't it?

[Crazyhorse1977]

Don't even start! We already know. Losing 75% of a players value is pathetic, reflection of inflated prices and agents who should be banned from the game once and for all.

[Rev]

hopefully the two goals he scored in the last reserves game will increase his value....atleast a little bit

[Crazyhorse1977]

The reserves mean nothing as Mellor consistently scores.

[Kastra]

After hearing about Diouf's antics after the Marseille game away, only one word can describe him - C*NT .

[Shanks]

AQs i said, he is just a little mercenary who knows nothing about the honour in wearing a Liverpool shirt, he can **** off, safe in the knowledge that not only did he cost us 10 million, but he also robbed us of Niclas Anelka, who was desperate to stay and rebuild his career.