Barthez to sign six-month deal with Nantes

NANTES, France, Dec 14 (Reuters) Former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is to sign a six-month deal with struggling Nantes today, his lawyer said.

Barthez, who retired in July after France lost the World Cup final to Italy, could make his return at Toulouse on Dec. 23.

''He has not signed anything yet but it is being processed,'' Barthez's lawyer told reporters yesterday.

Nantes are second from bottom of Ligue 1 with 13 points from 17 matches, two points from the safety zone.

Barthez, 35, started at Toulouse before joining Olympique Marseille and lifting the Champions League trophy in 1993.

He then moved to Monaco and Manchester United before returning to Marseille.

Barthez won 87 caps for France, helping Les Bleus win the 1998 World Cup and the European championship two years later.

REUTERS DKS PM0442