Marseille abandon Kluivert trail

Thursday 29 December, 2005

Marseille sporting director José Anigo says the club have given up their interest in Valencia striker Patrick Kluivert.

The Dutch international has been unable to command a first-team place with the Spanish outfit and appeared keen to move on, but Anigo revealed that OM have "abandoned" their pursuit.

Instead, the Mediterranean side still have their sights set on Liverpool's Djibril Cissé and Barcelona's Maxi Lopez, while they have also brought in young Esperance de Tunis forward Hamdi Harbaoui for a trial.

The 20-year-old will join up with the rest of the squad at their training camp in Lavandou, and Anigo told reporters he is impressed with what he has seen so far.

"He's a powerful player who holds on to the ball well," he commented.

Meanwhile, youngster Leyti N'Diaye is set to join Ligue 2 club Créteil after winning plaudits during a recent trial.