OM hopeful over Diarra deal

Marseille are still hopeful of sealing a deal for Bordeaux captain Alou Diarra and are expecting a decision over the coming week.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a move away from Les Girondins for some time, but talks have not progressed due to the French champions' unwillingness to match Diarra's 7.75million euro release fee.

With Bordeaux having already lost manager Laurent Blanc to the French national team and striker Marouane Chamakh to Arsenal, they will be keen to keep hold of key members of the squad that won the Ligue 1 title in 2009.

President Jean Louis Triaud has taken a hard stance on proceedings regarding his players, but his opposite number at Marseille, Jean-Claude Dassier, was hopeful a deal could be struck.

"In Jean-Louis Triaud's situation, I'd do the same," Dassier told L'Equipe.

"There's nothing scandalous.

"For us, it's true that it is a little tight, but we'll have a clearer picture within eight days."

Triaud last week promised not to stand in the midfielder's way if he wants to move to Marseille, providing the French champions pay the release fee.