Remy move in doubt after tests reveal heart problem

The transfer of French international striker Loic Remy from Nice to Marseille may be in doubt after a medical on Friday revealed what the club’s doctor called an ‘anomaly’ in the player’s heart.

The French champions initially announced on Thursday that Remy had passed his medical and signed a five-year contract in a move worth 15.5 million euros to Nice.

However, Friday’s unveiling to the press never took place amid the news that an MRI scan had revealed a possible problem with Remy’s heart.

Marseille’s doctor Christophe Baudot said the club will run further tests on Remy on Monday “to remove any doubt”.

“He will not play again until those doubts have been lifted,” added Baudot.

The 23-year-old scored 25 goals for Nice over the last two seasons and had been linked with a move to the English Premier League.

Remy, who has been capped twice by France, visited Stoke City before turning them down and was being tracked by Champions League hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur.

“I am a bit annoyed but it is my health after all and obviously we must look into it,” said Remy.

“The real shame is that these tests did not take place before. It was necessary for me to come to a club like Marseille to have tests which are more in depth.”

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps described Remy as “a young international with big potential, lots of different qualities and … plenty of room for improvement.”

Meanwhile, France international striker Andre-Pierre Gignac has joined Marseille on a five-year contract from Toulouse, club president Jean-Claude Dassier announced on Friday.

The transfer fee was not revealed but Toulouse had been holding out for 18 million euros for Gignac, as they must pay 20 percent of his transfer fee to his former club Lorient.

Gignac, 24, was the top scorer in the 2008-09 league season with 24 goals.