"No document has been signed between Lyon and Marseille. Pape Diouf (Marseille president) and I have only texted one another. I hardly see Pape Diouf going to court with simple text messages to his support," Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas said in a statement on the club's website.

L'OM have previously unveiled the signing of Ben Arfa but according to the French Champions no agreement has been reached yet.

"Hatem Ben Arfa has always been a player of Lyon. In 21 years of presidency, this is the first time that I see a player being transferred without the agreement of his club," added the Lyon chief.

Meanwhile the 21-year old midfielder is adamant that he won't be back to Lyon after coach fall-out. Ben Arfa has been out of action since last January and missed France EURO 2008 campaign.

The player has been linked with a move to English Premier League side Arsenal but apparently manager Arsene Wenger has dropped the hunt.