Marseille are confident of keeping Mathieu Valbuena at the club beyond January.

The France international playmaker has been linked with an exit from the Stade Velodrome in the winter, as he struggled to nail down his place in the starting eleven.

Arsenal are thought to be watching the situation as they consider making a move for Valbuena’s signature, but Marseille chairman Vincent Labrune is confident of keeping the 27-year-old.

"We talked to him about his career at Marseille so far. He is a very important player,” he told L’Equipe. "A winter departure? We didn't even discuss it. He never stated that he wants to leave."

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