Aston Villa have been assured a free run at Le Havre goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.
Le Havre chairman Jean-Pierre Louvel is waiting for Villa boss Martin O'Neill to give him the nod over a permanent transfer.
"The discussions with Aston Villa haven't started yet," said Louvel. "They should take a position before the end of the week.
"They are the only ones interested for the moment. For Marseille it is over.
"I have talked to Marseille chairman Pape Diouf on the phone and he told me he wasn't interested anymore."