OM: the deals set to shape the end of the transfer window 💥 | OneFootball

The main question is: who will stay?

After a chaotic season, OM are currently having a very quiet summer in terms of arrivals, with simply no signings so far.

And for good reason: the focus is on departures because of a strict austerity drive imposed by UEFA and owner Franck McCourt.

OM have already recorded the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mason Greenwood and Hamed Traoré in order to reduce their wage bill and boost the club’s finances.

These sales are expected to be the first on a long list before the close of a transfer window in which OM are likely to face major difficulties strengthening the squad.

A complete goalkeeper overhaul?

After an exhausting season, Geronimo Rulli has a near-unexpected opportunity to join Manchester City, according to Fabrizio Romano. His agent even let the cat out of the bag by posting a photo at the English club’s training ground.

Second-choice goalkeeper Jeffrey De Lange is also not expected to stick around for long, according to L'Équipe. The Dutchman reportedly wants to return to the Eredivisie, with Twente among the clubs interested.

OM will therefore need to recruit in goal over the coming weeks. The names of Guillaume Restes and Marcin Bulka have been mentioned in the press, but they would currently be too expensive for Marseille.

📸 THIBAUD MORITZ - AFP or licensors

A lot of uncertainty in central defence 😬

The issue of OM’s central defence is a sensitive one, given that it represents a large part of the club’s market value.

Facundo Medina, Nayef Aguerd and Leonardo Balerdi could allow OM to bring in a substantial amount of money, but they still need to find buyers.

According to Foot Mercato, Stade Rennais would like to bring the Moroccan defender back, while Facundo Medina is hoping to join Bayer Leverkusen, with the German club having made him one of their priorities.

Lastly, Leonardo Balerdi is reportedly still keen on a move away after several difficult seasons at OM and is said to be looking in particular toward Serie A.

📸 STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN - AFP or licensors

Priority matters in midfield

For several weeks now, rumours linking Pierre-Émile Hojbjerg with AC Milan have persisted, but nothing has materialised yet. Milan have already spent heavily on Gonçalo Ramos and are probably waiting for a sale before moving forward.

Geoffrey Kondogbia’s future is also raising questions. The 33-year-old midfielder is on a high salary and is often injured, but with only one year left on his contract, the room for manoeuvre is limited and few suitors seem to be lining up.

And then there’s Quinten Timber. Having arrived last winter for almost nothing, the Dutch midfielder could represent a nice capital gain for OM, but here too few interested clubs have emerged.

📸 GABRIEL BOUYS - AFP or licensors

Gouiri and Paixao spared?

While OM’s attack has been significantly stripped down by the departures of Aubameyang, Greenwood and Traoré.

Does that guarantee a place for Amine Gouiri and Igor Paixao? Far from it. It’s hard to imagine the Marseille board turning down a strong offer if one were to come in.

They would still need to replace those departures if they were to happen. But with a salary cap set at €100,000 gross per month according to L'Équipe, they will need to be smart.

📸 VALENTINE CHAPUIS - AFP or licensors

Right-back, Bruno Genesio’s stated priority

For now, OM only have Timothy Weah available to cover the right flank, and Bruno Genesio hopes to see another right-sided defender arrive on the Canebière to give him a little more depth.

In that regard, Foot Mercato reports that OM are working on a move for Saël Kumbedi. But the competition is fierce and the Olympian club’s limited finances once again restrict their room for manoeuvre.

📸 CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU - AFP or licensors

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 NICOLAS TUCAT - AFP or licensors