Brunel swaps Marseille for Lille

RC Lens midfield player Philippe Brunel will end his loan spell with Olympique de Marseille to begin another, with Lille OSC, as the Mediterranean coast club continue their cost-cutting drive.

Seven new players
Marseille, who have recruited seven new players since the start of the year, said that Brunel would remain contracted to Lens but would finish the season with LOSC.

Dahou on trial
Another player to leave the club is the Argentinian Daniel Montenegro who has been loaned with an option to buy to Club Atlético Huracan in his homeland. Meanwhile, young striker Karim Dahou has gone on trial to Scottish club Hibernian FC, coached by former Marseille player Franck Sauzée.

No deal for Charvet
The lack of available funds at the Stade Vélodrome also mean that French defender Laurent Charvet returned to Manchester City FC on Tuesday after talks with Marseille broke down. "We are trying to cut costs and we don't need to sign another recruit who does not look a priority," a Marseille club source said.

Cutting wage bill
Marseille sports manager Bernard Tapie has also moved to cut his wage bill by loaning striker Jérôme Leroy to Paris Saint-Germain FC and sending Under-21 international defender Zoumana Camara to Lens.