Olympique Marseille signing Abou Diaby confirmed he was close to joining West Brom.

The Frenchman, released by Arsenal, rejected a move to the Baggies to join OM this week.

"Everything that motivated my choice was to determine which club would best help me medically. It was really my priority.

"I actually had other proposals. I was in very very advanced talks with West Bromwich. Other clubs with whom I also talked to offered me good conditions, but I found that Marseille was best.

"It remains a great French club. I thought 'why not go back to France?'."