The situation is not improving between OM and Chancel Mbemba. While a way out was envisaged with an interesting financial proposal from Saudi Arabia, the case is now at an impasse, because of tensions and a financial disagreement between the Marseille club and the Congolese.
The situation is not improving between OM and Chancel Mbemba. While a way out was envisaged with an interesting financial proposal from Saudi Arabia, the standoff continues. It even seems to be heading towards an impasse. Since his verbal altercation with an OM manager, which earned him a suspension and two weeks of salary withholding, the Marseille club has become convinced that Chancel Mbemba wants the club to terminate his contract so that he can leave for free this summer. Mbemba considers that it is OM that no longer wants him and that the Marseille club therefore does not have to claim transfer compensation.
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OM were to receive 3.5 million euros in transfer compensation
It is on this disagreement that the transfer of Mbemba to Al Shabab is failing, who are offering him – were offering him – a two-year contract with an annual salary of 4 million euros, plus a signing bonus of 2 million. To conclude this deal, OM had an agreement for a transfer fee of 3.5 million euros.
With this posture of not wanting to give any gifts to OM, Mbemba asked for more money, which would have had the consequence of reducing or completely canceling the transfer compensation that would be paid to OM because the Saudi club has an envelope that it intends to respect on this file. The Olympian club does not hear it that way and is getting used to the idea that Mbemba will stay in Marseille. The Marseille club has already told him that he will have no possibility of playing again.
Saudi Arabia closes its transfer market this Monday
The next few hours will tell if reason will prevail but Al Shabab has announced that under these conditions it is withdrawing from the negotiations. The market in Saudi Arabia closes tonight. Given the strained relations with Mbemba, OM is not inclined to make the effort to release him and sit completely on a transfer fee, especially since the club had already revised downwards the amount of a transfer for the Congolese (the club was hoping for 5 million euros before the situation deteriorated).
Marseille could, however, be more understanding and conciliatory in the Jordan Veretout case. The midfielder has maintained, in the eyes of OM, a professional behavior despite his exclusion from the professional group. OM certainly had little taste for the episode in June when the French international hesitated and then declined an offer from Al Duhail (Qatar). But everyone now wants to find a solution. As revealed this weekend by RMC Sport, discussions are taking place with Olympique Lyonnais. An agreement has not yet been reached, but all parties are working to find a favorable outcome.
Florent Germain with Fabrice Hawkins
