Marseille keen on Valbuena extension

(GSM) – Olympique Marseille are keen on retaining the services of Mathieu Valbuena following talks regarding a contract extension.

The France international, who is already tied to the Ligue 1 champions until 2012, is already in the midst of fresh talks regarding a contract extension beyond his current deal.

And Marseille, who are confident Valbuena will put pen to paper, are keen to fend off reported interest in the 25-year-old midfielder, who has become an integral part of their plans again of late.

Coach Didier Deschamps overlooked him during the early stages of the 2009/10 campaign but, having forced his way back in, Valbuena ended the campaign strongly and played a leading role in the club’s Ligue 1 title-winning exploits.

“Mathieu is and will remain at Marseille this season,” Valbuena’s agent, Christophe Hutteau, told L’Equipe.

“Also, an extension to his contract was verbally agreed a fortnight ago. We have a meeting scheduled to finalise a few details.”