Nothing is impossible with the Olympique de Marseille of Roberto De Zerbi and Mehdi Benatia. The signings of Mason Greenwood, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Elye Wahi and even Adrien Rabiot this summer and in September showed that the Marseille club had returned to the forefront of the European scene.
Or at least that his project attracts very good players that we perhaps did not imagine would bounce back in France, in a club which is not playing in any European Cup this season. A less significant winter transfer window is expected for the Marseille club, where three departures are scheduled and defensive reinforcements are mainly expected.
Mehdi Benatia cible Olivier Boscagli
The name of Benoît Badiashile has notably come out for this winter to strengthen the central defense while that of Kiliann Sildillia has come out for the full-back position. But the Marseille club, which is committed to the long-term project, is already starting to think about the 2025 summer transfer window. Indeed, OM's defense is crumbly and reinforcements will also be expected in the summer to be able to aim higher.
Thus, according to information from the media Jeunes Footeux, Mehdi Benatia already has a target for next summer. This is the French central defender of PSV Eindhoven, Olivier Boscagli. A true executive of the Dutch club for several seasons, he has revealed himself this season.
A soon-to-be French international defender?
Author of three assists in twelve Eredivisie matches and starter in PSV's four Champions League matches, including that at the Parc des Princes against PSG, he would be followed in particular by Didier Deschamps and his staff.
In the sights of LOSC last summer, Olivier Boscagli has seen his market value soar in recent months. It actually went from 7 million euros in June 2023 to 27 million euros last March. A sum perhaps too large for OM but the Frenchman has a very interesting contractual situation since he has entered the last year of his contract.
OM would like to sign him in the summer of 2025 for… €0
Mehdi Benatia and the Marseille club would therefore like to take the opportunity to approach the player this winter in order to convince him to join Marseille next summer when he is free. It would be a big blow for OM to recover a 26-year-old central defender, in top form, for €0.
Trained at OGC Nice, he also has a little experience in Ligue 1 since he played 27 matches in the French championship between 2014 and 2019.
The profile of Olivier Bocagli
Solid in duels, despite his “small size” for a defender (1.81m), he is also a formidable offensive asset. In particular, he ranks among the best defenders in Europe in actions leading to a shot, with an average of 2.43 per 90 minutes, according to the Fbref website.
He is also a player with good passing quality which he often uses forward, with almost 13 progressive passes per match. Defensively, he has nearly two interceptions and two successful tackles per game.
Olivier Boscagli is also a versatile player since he can play as a left back or even a defensive midfielder. The Marseille management will have to be convincing to sign him for free next summer, because the competition is likely to be tough in this matter.
Passionate about sport and from Toulouse, I am of course a supporter of the great TFC, which has more titles than OM and OL combined over the last ten years.
