Marseille rule out Taiwo exit

(GSM) – Olympique Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has rubbished rumours suggesting that Taye Taiwo is set to exit the club with the defender reportedly attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Nigeria international, who has had to compete with first choice left-back Gabriel Heinze, is eager to play regular football after stiff competition at the Stade Velodrome.

But Deschamps has revealed his plans to keep the 25-year-old at the French club and could offer him a new contract, with his current deal set to run out next summer.

“He is here and will be here until the end of the season,” Deschamps told La Provence.

“He is under contract for another year. We have an interest in prolonging it so that he is not free in 2011. I need him, especially as a replacement would cost me more money. I count on him.”