Marseille defiant over Niang’s Fenerbahce fancy

French champions Marseille insist that Senegalese striker Mamadou Niang will not be granted his wish to join Turkish giants Fenerbahce — at least not this season.

Marseille reacted defiantly to reports last Sunday which claimed Niang was set to complete an eight-million euros move to the Istanbul side, with a contract offer of three to four years worth 2.5 million euros annually.

Niang’s French leage-topping 18 goals helped the south-coast side, which is coached by Didier Deschamps, to a long-awaited league crown in 2010.

On Tuesday club president Jean-Claude Dassier offered a compromise, saying he would be prepared to pave the way for Niang to leave for Turkey next season.

But Dassier said it would be “suicidal” to sell the highly-rated striker only three days before Marseille begin their title defence in a league opener against Caen.

“Fenerbahce’s offer has come in so late that it would be suicidal for us to respond positively only three days before the start of the championship,” Dassier told L’Equipe on Wednesday.

“We wouldn’t have someone to replace him. I’m happy to guarantee Mamadou a written clause in his contract which would allow him to leave the club after next season.”

Fenerbahce recently signed another Senegalese striker in French-born Issiar Dia, 23, who signed on a four-year contract from French Ligue 1 side Nancy.

Niang’s contract with Marseille does not expire until 2014.

However the striker, who said he has been impressed by the Turkish club’s “excellent facilities and quality-packed squad”, as told by Dia, insists his wishes to leave should be respected.

Admitting he is attracted by the prospect of earning more money in Turkey, Niang says he is more inspired by sporting reasons.

“Of course the money comes into it, but if all I was thinking of was money I would have waited for an offer to come from Qatar,” he told L’Equipe.

“I want to go to Fenerbahce to play in the Champions League and to win the title. The Turkish league is competitive.”

He added: “I’m quits with Marseille. I think I’ve given the club as much as they’ve given me. I’m not a slacker. I’ve always given 100 percent. I’ve even battled through the pain barrier when injured to play.”

With fellow Marseille striker Brandao sidelined through suspension for the Caen match, Niang said he is “ready to play” on Saturday.

But he is also “hopeful” of signing for Fenerbahce in time to play in Champions League qualifying fixtures in two weeks’ time.

“It’s now three years that Marseille have refused to allow me to leave the club,” he added.

“Now I’d like them to respect my choice. I want us to find an agreement as quickly as possible.”