L'OM keen to keep Pedretti

Marseille insist that they could still keep Benoit Pedretti, but have confirmed Steve Marlet's exit.

Pedretti is a target for Lyon boss Gerard Houllier, and it was thought he was well on his way to joining the French champions.

However, l'OM chairman Pape Diouf has not given up hope of keeping the France international midfielder at Stade Velodrome.

Diouf says Marseille still have the option of keeping Pedretti and he still believes they could convince him to stay.

"His departure is not automatic," said Diouf. "Indeed there is a clause that could allow a club to sign him for ‚é¼6 million.

"But we have a ‚é¼4 million option to sign the player, if he accepts it, allowing us to keep him at Marseille."

Fulham striker Marlet will be leaving Marseille, however, as the club will not be looking to extend his loan stint.

Marlet's two-year spell at Marseille has ended and Diouf confirmed that they did not want to pursue a new deal for him, saying: "Steve will go back to Fulham."

Marseille are still looking for a new coach to replace Philippe Troussier, and Metz boss Jean Fernandez will hold further talks with Robert Louis-Dreyfus about the position.