Heinze going to Marseille

Marseille have reached agreement with Real Madrid over the transfer of Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze to the French side, the club said on Thursday.

The 31-year-old international, with a reputation for an aggressive style of play, is to join Marseille for three years, once his medical examination and contract details have been completed, a statement on the club’s website said.

The former Manchester United and Paris St Germain player had been under contract with Real until next year, but management at the Bernabeu recently made it clear that following this summer’s multi-million euro recruitment campaign he was surplus to requirements.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps put a priority on the signing of the player, who besides Argentine nationality has German and Italian passports.

He is expected to be a first-choice selection, partnering Souleymane Diawara recently signed from Bordeaux in the central defence.