SAMMY Lee's chances of signing Liverpool striker, Djibril Cisse, appeared to have been scuppered last night, when the French striker was on the verge of signing for Marseille.

Cisse's agent claimed a deal had been agreed between the clubs and that the player was looking forward to returning to the Stade Velodrome, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell last season.

Wanderers and Portsmouth were both keen on the 25-year-old, who cost Liverpool £14million when he moved to Anfield from Auxerre three years ago, but the prospect of playing Champions League football with Marseille next season tipped the balance.

Ranko Stojic, who represents Cisse, said: "Marseille is definitely the choice for Djibril. I think the deal will happen."

Wanderers looked favourites to woe Cisse when Marseille initially suggested they were only interested in another loan deal. Anfield boss Rafa Benitez countered by insisting that Cisse would only be allowed to leave Anfield on a permanent transfer.

Reebok officials were optimistic but the French league runners-up were determined to get their man and are understood to have matched the Reds' asking price of around £7m.

Stojic said: "The Marseille option is the best choice for Djibril because of the Champions League.

"West Ham, Bolton and Portsmouth I understand are very, very good clubs but Djibril wants to play in the top level of European competition next season.

"Mr Benitez has been very, very correct. Of course he tried to get a little bit more money for his club but I think it will be a good deal for everybody.

"There are some details to sort out between Liverpool and Marseille, but I think it will happen soon."

Cisse, who has two years left on his deal at Liverpool, has broken his leg twice in the last three years, first in 2004 and then in a friendly for France against China last year, just before the World Cup in Germany.

But Stojic reckons the injuries have made the charismatic Frenchman all the more determined. "He is so motivated after all the problems he has had," he added.

Wanderers, meanwhile, are said to be leading the chase to sign Norway international Daniel Braaten.

Aston Villa, Everton and Fulham are also reported to be keen on the striker who is due to leave Rosenborg when his contract expires at the end of the year but could move now for a nominal fee.

Former Wanderers' striker, Henrik Pedersen, could be playing alongside Brazilian World Cup winner Juninho at Hull City next season.

The Dane, freed after six years at the Reebok, is set to join the Tigers, who are managed by former Wanderers assistant boss Phil Brown, early next week. By then Juninho, who had two spells with Middlesbrough, is expected to have indicated whether he wants to return to England with the ambitious Championship club.