MARSEILLE, Jan 9 (SW) – Marseille president Pape Diouf has admitted his side had made a move for Racing Club de Strasbourg star striker Mickael Pagis.

The southern French side had already bolstered their squad with the arrival of former Bordeaux defender Jerome Bonnissel and the confirmed loan of AS Monaco’s young striker Touafilou Maoulida, but Pape Diouf has admitted the arrival of a third quality player this month remained l’OM’s objective.

And it all looks like Mickael Pagis from Strabourg has moved to hot favourite to complete Marseille’s January mercato, after Pape Diouf confirmed his hope to see a deal become reality in the coming days.

"The transfer of Mickael Pagis to Marseille is very much on the cards and I certainly hope that the deal will be completed within the next 24 hours. Our offer is not a long way off their expectations" Diouf told the French media, following his side’s 4-0 cup win over Le Havre on Sunday.

Pagis, who used to play for Nimes and Sochaux before making his Alsatian move in 2004, would have the chance to link up with former team mate Mamadou Niang should the deal go through, both players having led the Strasbourg attack during the 2004/05 season.