LIGUE 1
Marseille’s transfer strategy to compliment Alexis Sánchez
According to reports in France, the Chilean forward wants to see the club build a competitive squad and there are already four names on the shortlist.
The status of Alexis Sánchez at Olympique de Marseille is a major talking point in France.
The Chilean has been one of the best performers in Ligue 1 this season but his existing deal with the club ends in just over a month. Despite his age the 34-year-old will not be short of offers from elsewhere and Marseille know that they need a convincing pitch if they are to keep him at the club.
“Alexis? He’s a leader,” Marseille midfielder Valentin Rongier told Téléfoot. “He doesn’t like to lose, and we’re very happy to have him with us. He doesn’t like to be tackled or criticized. He’s a bit of a complainer, but he’s a great professional.”
Marseille have already secured a spot in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League for next season but look likely to miss out on the top two automatic spots. This means that the club goes into the summer with more than a hint of uncertainty about their financial situation.
Marseille to bet big in the transfer market
Direct qualification to the Champions League would help convince Sanchez to stay, but without that certainty reports in France suggest that the club will try to show intent by bolstering the squad.
According to the French press, there are several high profile names on the shortlist.
Midfielder Denis Zakaria is thought to be a key target. The 26-year old has spent the season on loan to Chelsea from Juventus but has made just seven Premier League appearances. He also struggling to break into the Juventus side after his move from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2021 so is likely to be open to a move.
More ambitious is the interest in Raphael Guerreiro, who has been a regular starter for Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund this season. However the 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and may be tempted by a return to France, the nation of his birth.
Marseille are also thought to be considering moves for two young players plying their trades in the French leagues. Paris Saint-Germain’s 18-year-old forward Mahamadou Diawara and Habib Diarra, a 19-year-old midfielder with Racing de Strasbourg, are in contention. Diarra in particular is a highly-rated prospect and has also drawn interest from a host of Premier League sides, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.