Media Watch: Babel tracked by Marseille

Olympique de Marseille have been credited with an interest in Liverpool attacker Ryan Babel by both radio station RTL and local newspaper La Provence.

With a move for Inter wideman Amantino Mancini seemingly stalling, the Ligue 1 club are reportedly looking to Merseyside for the 23-year-old Dutch international. Babel's career has stalled somewhat at Anfield, where he has struggled to gain regular first team football.  

The arrival of Maxi Rodriguez to the Reds would seem to reduce the chances of Babel featuring further, and with just three Premier League starts to his name this season, the World Cup hopeful may depart England so as to strengthen his claim for a place in his national squad for South Africa. 

It has been suggested by La Provence that Babel has been in OM's thoughts for some time, though the former Ajax man was not seriously followed by the club due to the financial aspect of the deal. 

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has stated that he wishes to keep the Amsterdam-born player, who burst onto the scene in emphatic style during the Under-21 European Championships of 2007, so a loan deal may not be out of the question.  

Babel has already enjoyed success against French opposition this season, finding the net in spectacular fashion against Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League group stage before Liverpool's exit.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.