The full-backs are a major question for OM. Recruiting a new one seems obligatory, especially on the right. The Marseille club is currently on an interesting and cheap track at Fenerbahçe.
Between injuries, poor form and the choice of Roberto de Zerbi, the full-backs are not celebrating on the OM side this season. The holders of these two positions change match after match. In Nantes on Sunday evening, Quentin Merlin returned to the Marseille eleven after being injured for several weeks. The Swiss Ulisses Garcia and even Lilian Brassier took his place during his absence. Merlin must logically occupy the left side of the Olympian defense in the long term. On the right, it's more blurry. Dismissed this summer by De Zerbi, Pol Lirola is playing a series of matches at the moment even if Amir Murillo is also used. Both the Spaniard and the Panamanian do not completely convince their coach.
Osayi-Samuel in Marseille from January?
Thus, a new right side is expected as soon as possible on the Canebière. The lucky one may well be the Nigerian Bright Osayi-Samuel. The 27-year-old has been playing for Fenerbahçe since 2021 but this season should be his last in the Istanbul club. In fact, his contract expires next June and negotiations for an extension are unsuccessful. The Turkish press reveals that Osayi-Samuel is demanding an annual salary of 2.5 million euros from Fenerbahçe while the club only offers him 1.5 million euros over one year.
Enough to announce a departure of the Nigerian in the January transfer window. A scenario approved by both parties and by OM. According to the Turkish daily Takvim, the Marseille management is trying to attract Bright Osayi-Samuel to OM. Roberto de Zerbi also approves of the arrival of the Nigerian international. It remains to find a financial agreement between the two clubs. This will not be too expensive since the player is free in 6 months and especially because OM's main competitor on this issue is Fenerbahçe's great rival, Galatasaray. The Istanbul enemy offers 2.5 million euros to recruit Osayi-Samuel in January. OM will not need to give much more money to convince Fenerbahçe.
