Olympique Marseille President Jose Anigo has confirmed the imminent departure of Ghana forward Andre Ayew at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old is out of contract this summer and is already reported to have consented to a pre-contract agreement with English club Newcastle.
Ayew came through the ranks at Marseille from their academy and is considered the next in line to captain the French giants.
But the club is unable to keep their big stars due to their inability to meet the growing wage demands.
Marseille had hoped to convince Andre Ayew to sign a new contract at the club with even his father Abedi Ayew – a Marseille legend – invited over by the club to lead the talks.
But it appears the French club were unsuccessful in their bid to convince the Ghanaian to stay as President Jose Anigo confirms the versatile forward’s departure.
"Andre Ayew is a confirmation I was able to make from my start here," he said.
"I regret he will leave.
"He will not extend the contract, so I feel he will go."
Napoli, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund have all be linked to the Ghana forward but Newcastle appears to be clearly the frontrunner.