The Olympique Marseille Transfer Thread

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

It'll be interesting to see Gomis if he arrives in Marseille because the knock on him has been that he often doesn't manage to get it done in big matches. Nevertheless, his physical skills are up there with anybody in Ligue 1, and the Drogba comparisons are not that far off.

[SportBoy333]

I read that Bordeaux are interested in Ziani and also a bunch of other teams in Spain and abroad. It seems that the club wants him out but he wants to stay.

[prvev]

If he stays Akale probably doesn't get bought, if Ziani goes I could see them paying to keep Akale.

[prvev]

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080428_075614_echange-nasri-ben-arfa_Dev.html

Supposedly a Nasri-Ben Arfa swap (with possibly some money being involved) is possible. If we do get Pjanic, I guess I could see the rationale..but it still seems very unlikely.

[SportBoy333]

I have read that they want to get rid of Nasri because of his attitude and they want to cash in on him while his value is near its highest before it declines. I have no idea if this is true or not and I bet no one really knows the truth.

[prvev]

Well, his contract ends after next season, so that could be why they'd want to get rid of him over the summer. But a couple of weeks ago he said he be signing a new contract soon so...well, we'll see.

[SportBoy333]

They are still interested in Bobo especially since Gerets knows him from his days in Turkey. I still think their first priority should be to try to get upgrades to Bonnart and Rodriguez. Thats more important than signing a midfielder or attacker.

[Marseillais4life]

Well, his contract ends after next season, so that could be why they'd want to get rid of him over the summer. But a couple of weeks ago he said he be signing a new contract soon so...well, we'll see.
Yeah, that's more or less what I was thinking.

[SportBoy333]

On OMPlanete there's a big headline about Steve Savidan. The source is Footmercato and I dont think they are too reliable. Still, I could see them being interested in him as a 3rd or 4th option.

[prvev]

Yep, saw that. I haven't watched him that much, but he has done pretty well during his two seasons in Ligue 1...and he's kind of a cool story. He'd be more of a backup than either Gomis or Bobo, which would work well assuming Niang and Cisse both stay. Would probably be relatively cheap, too.

Seems like there is a new rumor out everytime I go on Omplanete these days. It is almost transfer season, I guess.

[SportBoy333]

Diouf said that its not certain that Nasri and Cisse will remain. I dont think thats the right thing to say publically. You want to say that your'e keeping your best players. Thats what a team that has high ambitions will say. I think we can agree that if they keep their best players and add a few more, they can win the title next year especially with a full season with Gerets in charge. Losing Nasri or Cisse would be a big setback in trying to achieve that and you just know the players they would bring in to try to replace either of them wont be as good. Remember who Ziani was brought in to replace :)

I think its all up to Dreyfuss anyway. If he wants to spend the money to resign Nasri then he stays. If he doesnt then he'll instruct Diouf to sell. Dreyfuss's ambitions are never quite clear here but we know he doesnt do what ever it takes to win.

I firmly believe that if Bobo or Gomis are brought in then Cisse will go. Cisse is one of the top 3 paid players in league and Dreyfuss wont pay him plus bring in another player of similar quality. Thats why you saw Savidan memtion because they'll bring in a cheaper 3rd option like him if Cisse stays rather than a #2 like Bobo or Gomis.

To retain Nasri you'd probably have to make him one of the highest paid players in the league in order to get him to stay. Does Dreyfuss want to pay for 2 of the leagues highest paid players ? He probably won't but he should. He's a joke owner and no wonder theyve had no titles since he's been there.

[prvev]

Nasri has reupped until 2012, it was originally reported by La Provence and now is on om.net.

Apparently there is a release clause at 15 million.

[SportBoy333]

Now that thats out of the way they can focus on important things like the back 4. Basa from Le Mans is possible and Daniel Van Buyten recently made some comments about his old team. Can't have Cana back there anymore. Basa and Van Buyten would be good signings IMO.

[prvev]

I agree, but it probably depends on who among the current crop of first team centrebacks (and there's about seven when you include those on loan) can be sold, and of course as always how much DVB and/or Basa will cost. I've heard Mensah's name mentioned, too.

[SportBoy333]

I'm still a Ziani fan even though he had a terrible season. He had that one great match vs. Liverpool and the tv announcers were gushing all over him and talking about how we will here much more from him in the future. Then he goes out and does nothing the rest of the year. If he goes I wonder who will be talking his spot. As a Monaco fan I'd take him. I wonder if Zenden will be gone also. He was not a disapointment because he wasnt brought in to be a primary 1st teamer. I think he stays because he seems to be content with his role.

[prvev]

Ziani's probably gone to one of the Spanish clubs there are a few who are supposedly interested in him. Zenden will probably stay, make a few appearances, and collect his checks.

The Kim rumor is the big thing now, apparently. Globo says the only thing left is for Kim to sign the contract. I hope the fee is not really 14m if it happens.

[SportBoy333]

I dont think Kim is a good signing. Havent seen much of him but he doesnt excite anyone.

[SportBoy333]

Lots of rumors on OMPlanete about some foreign players

Fabricio Coloccini an Argentine defender from Deportivo La Coruna

Leo, a 33 yr old Brazilian left back from Benfica

Brazilian international defender Luisao who plays for Benfica

[prvev]

Coloccini would be delightful. I don't know as much about Luisão, but I think he's supposed to be good.

I guess a 33 year old left back would be a backup, and that Krupo isn't staying.

[SportBoy333]

Cisse announces he will remain

http://news.maxifoot.com/info-078291_80514/football-210764432162831a0.php