Marseille say Lucho is staying put

Marseille announced on Saturday that Argentine playmaker Lucho Gonzalez will remain at the club this season, despite weeks of speculation linking him with a move away.

"The Olympique de Marseille board confirms that the club's midfielder, Lucho Gonzalez, will indeed play the 2011-2012 season in the Marseille shirt," read a statement on the club's website (www.om.net).

Asked about Lucho's future during a press conference on Friday, Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said he would be happy to continue working with the Argentina international.

"The president (Vincent Labrune) has already talked about it," said Deschamps. "I know Lucho's qualities, so it's mainly a good thing."

Big-spending Spanish side Malaga reportedly made a six million euros (ê8.7m) bid for Lucho in June but the offer was judged insufficient by Marseille.

Lucho, 30, joined Marseille from Porto for a club-record initial fee of 18m euros (rising to 24m euros with bonuses) in the summer of 2009.

He won the Ligue 1 title and the French League Cup in his first season at the club but endured an underwhelming 2010-11 campaign.

The summer transfer window closes at midnight on August 31.