Teenager Jores Rahou, who was said to be on Nottingham Forest’s radar, has signed his first professional contract with Marseille.
It had been reported the attacking midfielder had held discussions with the Reds’ head of international recruitment Jose Anigo, while German clubs Red Bull Leipzig and Leverkusen were also linked.
But the 17-year-old talent has now put pen to paper on a three-year professional deal with the French club.
Highly-rated Rahou has been with Marseille since the age of seven and joined in training with the first-team last summer, before captaining the Under-18s and playing for the reserves this season.
Announcing the decision, Nasser Larguet, director of Marseille’s training centre, told the club’s website: “He has talent with an interesting technique.
“He has taken the steps in the club.
“He has a physical maturity which allowed him to be very successful with the 17 year olds, successful with the 19 year olds.
“I think that it still needs a year of work to cross the last stage in order to tickle the professional team.
“He started last season with the pros, he had a promise of a professional contract and we are doing it now because he has potential.
“We don't give it for the sake of it, but there is a challenge for it. We could have kept him on an aspiring contract last season but the club decided to break his contract and have him already signed up for a professional contract.
“He has the talent and the potential, but we shouldn't just stay on it, we also need performance. We will take the time for that next season.”
