Auxerre and France defender Philippe Mexes is going to an industrial tribunal to resolve the contract dispute he believes is keeping him at the club against his will.
Mexes, who recently indicated he would like to join Arsenal, claims Auxerre have not respected the contract, a deal which he now hopes to terminate as well as seeking compensation.
The 21-year-old signed his first professional contract with Auxerre in June 2000, agreeing a five-year deal at the time. In December 2002 he agreed a one-year extension until 2006 but under new FIFA rules he will be entitled to move in 2003 because he will have played for three years as a professional.
It was only after they agreed a one-year extension last December that Auxerre realised that the player could still leave in 2003 and the club then reportedly tried to back track on the new terms.
The situation has remained deadlocked for six months and now Mexes has forced the issue by taking the club to court for not respecting the 2002 deal.
Mexes now looks set to stay for at least another six months until the court case is resolved but admits his relationship with his employers has broken down.
Another Auxerre star, striker Djibril Cisse, who is coveted by Liverpool, has also indicated his desire to leave despite coach Guy Roux's insistence he will not let him go before 2007 when his contract ends.