Marseille boss to hold clear the air talks with unsettled Ribery

MARSEILLE (AFP) - Marseille boss Pape Diouf vowed to hold clear-the-air talks with unsettled star Franck Ribery in order to secure the French international's future at the club.

Ribery has been the subject of intense transfer speculation since sparkling for France during their run to the World Cup final earlier this month, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Lyon all chasing his signature.

The transfer talk has angered Marseille president Diouf however, who has vowed to hang on to Ribery for at least one more season.

The talented 23-year-old is currently contracted to Marseille until 2010 after signing a contract extension in March but was quoted as saying in June that he favoured a move to Lyon.

Diouf wants to clear up the situation before the start of the new French season next month, and plans to meet Ribery on Saturday for talks.

"Because of certain events that have happened in the close season, I will meet with him to clear up the misunderstandings, if indeed there are any misunderstandings," Diouf said.

Diouf meanwhile revealed Marseille were interested in signing former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, who parted company with the Gunners at the end of last season. "He is someone we are interested in," said Diouf.

"But at this stage it is far too early to talk about him being a Marseille player next season."