Marseille and France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has admitted that he turned down the chance to join big-spending Monaco this summer.

The principality club, back in Ligue 1 after a two-year absence, have splashed out almost 150 million euros (US$200m) in the summer transfer window thanks to the backing of Russian billionaire owner Dimitri Rybolovlev.

The likes of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Joao Moutinho, Ricardo Carvalho, Eric Abidal and Jeremy Toulalan have all moved to the Stade Louis II, making Monaco look like genuine challengers to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.

But they have so far failed to bring in a goalkeeper to replace Croatian Danijel Subasic as first choice between the posts, with an approach for Mandanda, the 28-year-old Congolese-born French international.

"There was interest from Monaco which is true. It was a situation where I needed to talk with the club, I have been here for a while now," said Mandanda, who joined OM in 2007 from Le Havre.

"We talked with the president and decided to continue the adventure here, where there is an interesting sporting project.

"I didn't decide to leave, but I had to reflect. I feel good here, we have the Champions League to look forward to. Marseille have big objectives."

Marseille face Guingamp in their opening game of the Ligue 1 season on Sunday.