No winter madness for Olympique de Marseille. The president of OM, Pablo Longoria, took advantage of the presentation of his first recruit of the year 2024, midfielder Jean Onana, to take stock of the transfer window. He said he was very satisfied with the loan of the Cameroonian from Besiktas, with a purchase option of 4.5 million euros if he plays more than 50% of the matches, and that OM qualifies for the next Champions League.
“We had a priority at the midfield position. We wanted an environment with Ligue 1 experience that complemented our players. He has great defensive quality and in the transition of play. So we are happy to have him,” Longoria initially welcomed, while confiding that he had already approached the player in the summer of 2022.
Towards a departure from Pape Gueye
The Cameroonian, capable of playing as a “defensive midfielder, relay midfielder or even defender” in his own words, strengthens a depleted midfield with the departures of Azzedine Ounahi and Amine Harit to the CAN with Morocco, and that of Pape Gueye with Senegal. The departure of the Lion of Terenga could even become definitive since he declined the two contract renewal proposals made by Marseille management.
Another confidence from Pablo Longoria: “We made a second extension offer in December. The player did not follow up, we had set the date for January 7 or 8 and we still have no news. We therefore consider that there is a possibility of seeing him leave this winter, we are looking for the best solution for all parties. »
This should also be the only departure of this winter transfer window, since the president took advantage of this speech to close the door to that of Azzedine Ounahi despite persistent rumors. Just like that of Vitinha is not considered by the Marseille board, unless there are big offers, which is not the case for the moment.
Another hoped-for arrival… and then that’s it
Concerning the arrivals, Gennaro Gattuso and Pablo Longoria seek to strengthen the left-back position by bringing in an understudy to Ronan Lodi, who has still not convinced after a checkered first half of the season. “We are looking for a left back who can play in a system with three or four defenders. At the numerical level, we are looking to complete this position and bring competition,” explained Pablo Longoria while the name of the Scotsman from Hellas Verona, Josh Doig, comes up insistently.
If the president of OM has accustomed us to very active transfer periods, this winter transfer window should be much calmer, by his own admission: “To tell the truth, we would like to give continuity to this squad. We want to strengthen ourselves where necessary. The winter transfer window is not one that we like. It’s adjustment. » After spending 32 million euros for Vitinha just a year ago, the most expensive transfer in OM history, Pablo Longoria seems much more cautious this winter.