Roberto De Zerbi and OM revamp midfield with Abdelli, Nnadi in and Bakola, O'Riley out | OneFootball

Marseille capped their midfield rebuild on Monday, signing Himad Abdelli and Tochukwu Nnadi and finalising the exits of Darryl Bakola and Matt O'Riley.

According to L'Équipe, president Pablo Longoria said on 18 December that winter business was about constant improvement and adding cover where rotation was thin, ideally a profile akin to Greenwood, who had logged very high minutes.

Internally, Roberto De Zerbi discussed with Medhi Benatia a late-2025 priority to redefine the No 10 role and add more connection in midfield. Angel Gomes, once viewed as ideal last summer, had fallen out of favour and on Monday joined Wolverhampton on loan. Abdelli, offered in vain last winter, had a deal with Marseille since 7 January and left Angers for just under €3m plus €1m in bonuses after a second bid convinced the SCO board, roughly two weeks after an initial offer near €2m.

Before Abdelli’s move, Marseille added Ethan Nwaneri on a straight loan from Arsenal and Quinten Timber from Feyenoord for €4.5m on 23 January. Bakola, 18, went to Sassuolo for €10m and O'Riley, 25, was sent back to Brighton from his loan. De Zerbi said two permanent arrivals would have reduced O'Riley’s minutes, and that Gomes needed playing time, adding that strong players tend to adapt quickly.

Nnadi, 22, arrives from Zulte-Waregem as a powerful ball-winner with an uncommon profile in this squad. With Bilal Nadir, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg, Arthur Vermeeren and the four recruits, De Zerbi has options for three spots across 14 league rounds and up to four Coupe de France ties by late May. Abdelli, Nnadi and Timber are tied to long-term deals and aiming to establish themselves.

Further trimming included Neal Maupay’s loan to Sevilla and the contract terminations of Ruben Blanco and Pol Lirola. Ulisses Garcia also joined Sassuolo on loan, with a €4m option to buy.

Source: L'Équipe