Young French sensation Djibril Cisse has told a host of Europe's leading clubs they are wasting their time chasing him. "I want to stay at Auxerre for another season after this," said the 20-year-old striker.
Earlier this month, Auxerre coach coach Guy Roux revealed that Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was a big admirer of Cisse, and Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Arsenal are among other English clubs who have had the player watched.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are also taking an interest in the youngster, but Cisse is adamant that he is not tempted by a move abroad - not yet, at any rate.
"The interest these clubs show in me is flattering, but it will not change what has been planned. I have a career plan that has been defined by my brother and I, and it goes through one more year in Burgundy," he said.
"I frequently hear about my departure from Auxerre to join a major European club and I've always said I could well see myself playing in England, and it's not a secret that I have several contacts, but I am sticking to my plan.
"My departure is not real, it is not going to happen. I will deal with the subject of moving a lot later, first I want to improve my game a lot more, and it will be easier to do that here," he added.
Cisse first sprung to prominence with outstanding displays for the French Under 20 side at the Youth World Cup in Argentina during the summer. He scored six goals in the tournament and has followed up that good form this season.
Despite missing four games with a sprained ankle, he has still registered 16 league goals and been a crucial element of Auxerre's push for the title and a Champions' League spot.
Cisse also admitted that Auxerre's ambition was a factor in staying for at least another full season. "We have a very good young squad here and Guy Roux has stated his intention to keep everyone together," he said.
Roux is certainly determined to keep Cisse for the time being. He said recently: "Why should we take the money now? From a purely financial point of view his value will rise the more he makes his mark on our domestic league and forces his way into the senior France side.
"At the moment, I believe he would be better off spending two more seasons with us rather than going to a big club and sitting on the bench every week."
Earlier this month, Auxerre coach coach Guy Roux revealed that Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was a big admirer of Cisse, and Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Arsenal are among other English clubs who have had the player watched.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are also taking an interest in the youngster, but Cisse is adamant that he is not tempted by a move abroad - not yet, at any rate.
"The interest these clubs show in me is flattering, but it will not change what has been planned. I have a career plan that has been defined by my brother and I, and it goes through one more year in Burgundy," he said.
"I frequently hear about my departure from Auxerre to join a major European club and I've always said I could well see myself playing in England, and it's not a secret that I have several contacts, but I am sticking to my plan.
"My departure is not real, it is not going to happen. I will deal with the subject of moving a lot later, first I want to improve my game a lot more, and it will be easier to do that here," he added.
Cisse first sprung to prominence with outstanding displays for the French Under 20 side at the Youth World Cup in Argentina during the summer. He scored six goals in the tournament and has followed up that good form this season.
Despite missing four games with a sprained ankle, he has still registered 16 league goals and been a crucial element of Auxerre's push for the title and a Champions' League spot.
Cisse also admitted that Auxerre's ambition was a factor in staying for at least another full season. "We have a very good young squad here and Guy Roux has stated his intention to keep everyone together," he said.
Roux is certainly determined to keep Cisse for the time being. He said recently: "Why should we take the money now? From a purely financial point of view his value will rise the more he makes his mark on our domestic league and forces his way into the senior France side.
"At the moment, I believe he would be better off spending two more seasons with us rather than going to a big club and sitting on the bench every week."
