Cisse confirms Liverpool approach
The French international forward has been the subject of speculation suggesting Marseille and Liverpool will bid to tempt Guy Roux into selling one of his prize assets this summer.
Roux insists he will not off-load the classy attacker, and there have been expectations that Cisse will remain for at least another season in Le Championnat.
However, matters seem to be moving at a rapid pace, following a reported meeting between Gerard Houllier and Roux at a Paris hotel this week. Although Jean-Alain Boumsong is believed to be a top target for the Merseysiders, Cisse has revealed that Liverpool's interest in him is concrete.
After admitting that he plans to take a couple of weeks' holiday during the close season with Arsenal attacker Sylvain Wiltord, Cisse spoke openly about the prospect of a summer switch to Anfield.
"There should indeed be two or three departures," he declared. "Of course, that does cause me pain to lose certain team-mates, but I am not disappointed or jealous towards them.
"I know nothing about whether I will be Auxerrois next season. If I leave, it's for the better, if I remain, I will continue to play without ulterior motive.
"But I will not remain more than one year with l'AJA. One thing is for sure, nevertheless, that I will not make a confrontation. I started at Auxerre, and Guy Roux is very kind and I have a deep respect for him.
"Without hesitating, I would say my chosen destination would be England.
"Liverpool have followed me for several years. It is a club I have a great impression of.
"We played them this season, and I was particularly touched by the crowd.
"It is formidable. They never boo the opponents," he told football365.fr.
"Yet it has no fences around the pitch so, if they wanted to, they could do what they want.
"When I played for France Under-16s, I already had the chance to play at Old Trafford in front of 35,000 spectators. There was so much noise, you could not hear yourself on the field.
"Moreover, when you can add players such as Michael Owen to the team, you can only progress, even if you had less game-time.
"As for Marseille, Liverpool are the only club who has made a concrete approach.
"For the moment, l'OM have not shown themselves, even if I read in the press that this club could be interested."
