Back in Europe at Udinese in January 2023 after an exile in Mexico, Florian Thauvin shines on the Serie A pitches. But in the long term, is a return to OM possible? Mehdi Benatia seems to think about it.
Author of a great start to the season on Italian pitches with 4 goals and 3 assists, Florian Thauvin has relaunched his career at Udinese. In 2021, the French international made the decision to leave Olympique de Marseille at the end of his contract to join his friend André-Pierre Gignac at Tigres. An inconclusive career choice for the native of Orléans, who did not really shine in Mexico and who made his return to Europe a year ago. In the modest Udinese team, “Flotov” had a blast and shined so much that he was named captain.
Enough to arouse the attention of Marseille supporters, some of whom imagine a return to Marseille. Asked about this in Téléfoot, Florian Thauvin acknowledged contact with Mehdi Benatia, sports director of the Marseille club. But the number 10 from Udine affirms, the discussions between the two men did not focus on a potential return to the Marseille city. “I loved my experience in Mexico but it wasn’t the right choice, it wasn’t the right thing to do. My experience at OM remains in my memory, it will follow me all my life. It’s a source of pride for me when I talk about it with my son, I watch all the matches” first explained the man with more than 80 goals in Marseille, before continuing.
Thauvin confirms discussions with Benatia, but…
“When I see the players who play for OM, it shows that the club has reached a milestone. A return to Marseille? We spoke with Mehdi Benatia because before he was manager of OM, we knew each other very well. But this is not current. See me again in Ligue 1? It's not the priority but if there is a good opportunity with a big club, it will be studied. Not just any club of course, not a rival club. It’s having respect for OM and for me, for what I have done in my career and the colors that I have defended” revealed Florian Thauvin, opening the door to a return to France, but not just anywhere. OM now have the cards in hand and will have to decide in the coming months if they want to bring the 2018 world champion back to a position where Mason Greenwood was recruited for 25 million euros a few months ago.
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