Eager to be active in the winter transfer window, Olympique de Marseille is mainly seeking to strengthen its defensive sector. However, management is waiting to remove undesirables from the workforce before taking action.
After the last Ligue 1 match played by Olympique de Marseille in 2024, Pablo Longoria organized a press conference during which he affirmed that each departure would be compensated this winter. With the transfer window open since January 1, 2025, Marseille management still hopes to be able to modify its squad for the deadlines of the second part of the season. The defensive sector has been identified as the Achilles heel of Roberto De Zerbi's group. Longoria and Benatia must therefore succeed in removing players deemed undesirable before bringing in new profiles.
OM pushes three defenders out
According to information from Saber Desfarges, Olympique de Marseille does indeed intend to become active on the transfer market in January. A central defender and a full-back will be recruited in the event of the departure of one of the three defensive players pushed out. Chancel Mbemba, Lilian Brassier and Bamo Meïté could leave Canebière this winter. However, this will not be easy: Pablo Longoria needs liquidity while many clubs are looking to strengthen themselves through loans.
The TF1 journalist states in particular that Meïté is followed by Glasgow Rangers and Montpellier, who only want a dry loan. Not enough to fix the finances of Olympique de Marseille immediately. Recruited last summer for the modest sum of 10.5 million euros, the former Lorient player has only played 24 minutes in all competitions this season. If he wants to have the chance to get playing time, he will undoubtedly have to agree to give up his place at OM. Same thing for Mbemba who has not played a single second in Marseille colors this season, and Lilian Brassier, who brings no satisfaction to Roberto De Zerbi.
