[LFCMike]

Marseille could turn to Middlesbrough striker Szilard Nemeth, if they fail to bring in Liverpool's Djibril Cisse during January's transfer window.

The French giants are desperate to bolster their attack in the New Year and have made Cisse their number one target.

But striking a deal for Cisse is proving problematic, prompting Marseille to draw up a list of alternatives, which includes Monaco's Emmanuel Adebayor and Auxerre's Benjamin Mwaruwari.

A surprise name on the list, though, is Slovakia international Nemeth, who is out of contract at The Riverside at the end of the season.

Nemeth has never established himself as a regular with Boro during over four years at the club, but recently impressed l'OM's sporting director Jose Anigo on international duty.

Anigo watched the 28-year-old during Slovakia's World Cup qualifying play-off against Spain in November and Nemeth scored in the 5-1 defeat in the first leg.

He is unlikely to be offered a new deal on Teesside and could put himself in the shop window at Stade Velodrome during the second half of the season.

Marseille are willing to offer Abdoulaye Meite in a swap deal, which could see the two players change clubs until the summer.

According to African sources, Ivory Coast defender Meite had contact with Boro last week and a loan swap could suit all parties.

Meite also has other Premiership clubs on his trail, such as Bolton, Everton and Blackburn, while he has already shunned a move to Middlesbrough.

I think they will get Cisse anyway. Nemeth has never really been given much of a chance at M'Boro, he is a good player too.

[Stuttgart]