Koji Nakata's hopes of a move to French club Marseille have been put on hold after talks between the Japan international midfielder and his J. League team Kashima Antlers proved inconclusive.
"I've told Kashima of my desire to go (to Marseille) but they have asked me to stay," Nakata told reporters on Monday. "So now we have to sit down again and try and sort out our differences."
Nakata recently underwent a trial with Marseille, which is managed by former Japan coach Philippe Troussier, but Kashima club president Hiroshi Ushijima last week said he had rejected an "unacceptable" offer for the player.
Nakata, who will be a free agent in February if he delays renewing his existing deal with Kashima, will reopen negotiations before the transfer window closes Jan. 31.
Nakata has 46 caps for his country and has joined a training camp ahead of Japan's Feb. 9 clash at home to North Korea in its opening match of the final round of qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.