Marseille still hopeful of Mancini deal

Marseille's sporting director Jose Anigo is confident the French outfit can strike a deal to sign Inter Milan midfielder Mancini this month.

The Ligue 1 giants made their interest in the Brazilian known last week, with a six-month loan deal thought to be on the table.

With Mancini struggling for games at Inter, an agreement was expected to be pushed through without a hitch.

However, discussions were put on hold over the weekend as both sides turned their attentions to crucial fixtures, preventing a deal from being struck.

Marseille remain confident, though, that they will get their man during the January transfer window.

"We agreed to suspend talks over the weekend, to allow us to play our respective matches," Anigo told L'Equipe.

"He is a player that will take time to secure due to the complexities of his contract.

"It is taking a little longer than we first thought, but we should know more by the middle of the week."