He will soon become, according to rumors circulating on this subject, the official sports director of Olympique de Marseille. But Mehdi Benatia has already been holding the position since October 2023, under the role of consultant and service provider for the Marseille club. With the collaboration contract coming to an end, a new one with a more defined role in the club's organizational chart would be under study.
Mehdi Benatia is still only a consultant at OM
The fact remains that, since last winter, the former professional defender has been the man in charge of the Olympique de Marseille transfer markets. His audacity, his experience and his relationships allowed him to attract into the Marseille nets, a certain Adrien Rabiot who was widely coveted elsewhere. And what's more, free of contract and compensation to be paid to hire him.
The nerve and flair to pull off shots like Rabiot
The French international midfielder therefore does not enter the top 10 of the most expensive recruits on Mehdi Benatia's CV, unlike in particular the Englishman Mason Greenwood, ranked at the top of the list. Here again it was for Benatia and the Marseille board, a gamble to sign the very controversial English winger, in a summer context which was then not very favorable. Ignoring the criticism, many of which are justified it must be said, time seems to prove OM and its player right who, in France, makes no waves other than by showing off his talent on the green rectangle.
The upcoming month of January will certainly give Benatia the opportunity to expand her list of achievements. On the obvious condition that he finds a common agreement with the club to extend. This is not yet a given. But almost everything like.
The 10 most expensive transfers on Mehdi Benatia’s CV
Mason Greenwood (de Manchester United en 2024-25) = 26 M€
Elye Wahi (the RC Lens and 2024-25) = €25 M
Ismaël Koné (from Watford in 2024-25) = €12 million
Quentin Merlin (from FC Nantes in 2023-24) = €10 million
Faris Moumbagna (de Bodø/Glimt en 2023-24) = 8 M€
Gerónimo Rulli (from Ajax in 2024-25) = €4M
Derek Cornelius (de Malmö FC en 2024-25) = 4 M€
Ulisses Garcia (de BSC Young Boys en 2023-24) = 4 M€
Jonathan Rowe (from Norwich in 2024-25) = €2m (loan fee)
Jeffrey de Lange (the Go Ahead Eagles and 2024-25) = 2 M€
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