The Neal Maupay case is more complex than expected for OM, which is looking for a goalscorer in the money-time of the transfer window and which has activated an unexpected plan B in Italy with the Paraguayan international Antonio Sanabria.
Just a few days ago, the Olympique de Marseille management did not think they would be chasing a goalscorer in the final stretch of the transfer window. But Faris Moumbagna’s injury in Brest ten days ago changed the situation. The Cameroonian international, who suffered a torn cruciate ligament, will miss the next six months and Roberto De Zerbi therefore only has Elye Wahi at centre forward. Even without a European Cup to play for, that is a bit light and Pablo Longoria is well aware of this, which is why the Marseille board has started looking for a goalscorer.
OM’s priority, as revealed elsewhere, is Neal Maupay, whose contract with Everton ends in a year. But the path is complex, because the Toffees are not very open to a loan with an option to buy and prefer a dry transfer of up to 8 ME. Marseille, for its part, does not want to invest as much right now and wants to go through a loan. This path is not closed but has been put aside while we see if another file can be closed more easily. And this is how according to Foot MarketOM finds itself courting Antonio Sanabria, the 28-year-old Paraguayan centre-forward playing for Torino.
OM active the slopes Antonio Sanabria
The specialist media claims that the man who has scored 28 goals in 112 Serie A games since 2021 is of great interest to Roberto De Zerbi. This track would be easier to realize than the one leading to Maupay, especially since Torino has agreed to part ways with him and is targeting Giovanni Simeone (Naples) to replace him. At this stage, no figures have been leaked and nothing says that Sanabria will be Wahi’s understudy at Marseille for the coming season. But after taking the temperature in the Neal Maupay case, also courted by Brentford to make matters worse, the Marseille club is slowly starting to consider other targets.
It remains to be seen who will be the lucky winner, whose mission will be to put pressure on Elye Wahi, who in any case remains the holder of this position for the coming season after his transfer for more than 25 ME including bonuses.