Marseille are reported to be leading the chase for Guillaume Hoarau but reports linking him with Chelsea have been played down.

The 23-year-old Reunion-born forward is currently the leading scoring in Ligue 2 with 12 goals to his name and Chelsea were linked with a swoop.

Interest in France has also been growing in recent weeks with Marseille very keen although Auxerre, Lens, Monaco, Paris Saint Germain and Strasbourg all regularly send scouts to check on him.

But sources close to the player have insisted reports of a possible Chelsea bid were wide of the mark – although there is some genuine interest from England – with Fulham believed to be keeping tabs on him.