Lucho dismisses talk of Marseille exit

MARSEILLE, France (AFP) - Marseille playmaker Lucho Gonzalez on Friday dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from the French champions.

Asked in an interview with the club's website about the chances of him remaining at Marseille next season, he replied: "The probability is strong.

"I don't know why there are so many things said about this at the moment.

"It annoys me a bit. At no time has it left my mouth that I wanted to leave or that I didn't feel good here."

The Argentine international joined Marseille from FC Porto for a club-record initial fee of 18 million euros ($26m) in the summer of 2009 and helped Marseille to a league and League Cup double in his first season.

He finished the 2009-10 campaign with a league-high tally of 11 assists but has not enjoyed quite the same success this term, as OM have laboured in their attempts to keep pace with league leaders Lille.

The 30-year-old also witnessed a break-in at his home last month, when he and his family were confronted by armed robbers.

"I have a contract with OM until 2013 and the people at the club seem happy with me," Lucho added.

"I have a commitment and I have no problem keeping it. I feel good here, my family too, and those are important things."

Should Marseille, currently second, fail to achieve the top-three finish synonymous with Champions League qualification, Lucho has been identified in the French press as one of the players who could be sold as a consequence.