L'OM to move for joker

Marseille are set to pursue their interest in a transfer joker in the next few weeks.

French rules allow clubs in Le Championnat to sign a player out of the regular transfer window and this is referred to as a joker - although each club is only allowed one.

L'OM are desperate for a striker and their prime targets are Djibril Cisse and Pierre-Alain Frau.

Obviously Cisse being English-based means he cannot move until January when the window reopens, but Frau is a possibility before the end of the year.

"The priority is to hire a forward during the winter transfer window, on loan," said general manager Jose Anigo.

"We will study the joker trail before Sunday. You know our interest for Djibril Cisse, but Frau has the right profile too, with the speed we are looking for."

Marseille coach Jean Fernandez confirmed his ambition to land a joker.

"We will try to get a joker and are considering the opportunities," said Fernandez.

"The sooner would be the better. I wish a striker, but we don't have a lot of means."

Frau turned down a move to Marseille in the summer, but he has since sunk down the pecking order at Lyon under Gerard Houllier and he could now accept a move.

"When Gerard Houllier came, he told me he would have trust in me and he was even openly against my departure," Frau told France Football.

"I listened to him and I stayed. But today, when I take stock, I have just started four matches, that is not enough.

"It is more and more difficult to swallow. Honestly I have hoped to get my chance, it is all very frustrating.

"I love a high level, I am not here to play with the reserves. I give my best during training sessions so far, to try to get a place."