Marseille ready to splash out on Forlan - report

French league champions Marseille are hoping to lure Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan to the Stade Velodrome in a deal worth €25 million.

Forlan scored an impressive 28 goals for Atletico last season, including 18 in the league and the two goals which allowed his Spanish league side to beat Fulham in the Europa League final last month.

AS sports daily said Marseille are ready to spend big to land the versatile Uruguayan, who would boost their chances of progressing in the Champions League. However landing Forlan, who previously endured an inconsistent two seasons with Manchester United, could be a complicated affair.

The report said Marseille would have to fork out €36 million to cancel a clause in Forlan's contract, but added that since Atletico are not qualified for the Champions League the cash-strapped Spaniards would be ready to negotiate.

AS said the only stumbling block could be Forlan's salary expectations.

Argentinian Gabriel Heinze is currently Marseille's top earner with €4.5 million a year. It is roughly what Atletico pay Forlan