Mahrez expresses love for Marseille as duo set to depart

As Olympique de Marseille prepare for the departure of Quentin Merlin and Valentin Rongier, former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez has again expressed his long-standing love for the Ligue 1 giant.

The Algerian international admitted in an interview with L’Équipe that turning out at the Vélodrome in Ligue 1 was his childhood dream.

The 34-year-old, who currently plies his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, said that since he was little, he always wanted to play for Marseille. 

“That was my dream. I was a big Marseille fan – Drogba, Niang, Nasri, Ribéry… I dreamed of playing at the Vélodrome in Ligue 1. My path ended up being very different,” he added.

The Algeria captain, who was a Premier League trophy winner with Leicester City and Manchester City, could have joined Marseille twice during his career.

Mahrez, who was 18 years old while playing for Quimper in the French fourth tier, impressed during a trial with Marseille’s reserves. 

José Anigo, then sporting director, wanted to sign him before ultimately opting for Billel Omrani instead.

In early 2014, he was again offered to the Ligue 1 club while at Leicester City in the Championship. However, club president Vincent Labrune reportedly turned down the move, judging Mahrez to be an ill fit for Marseille’s “project.”

Just over a year later, Mahrez would guide the Foxes to the Premier League title and be named PFA Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, Marseille will soon announce the departure of Merlin and Rongier to Rennes.

The former Nantes players are preparing to sign with their former rivals, Rennes, for nearly €20 million excluding bonuses. 

Rennes are strengthening their squad after the departures of Lorenz Assignon, Adrien Truffert, Kyogo Furuhashi, Albert Gronbaek, and Azor Matusiwa.

From the deal, Nantes will receive recover 10% of the sale of the left-back, or €1.3 million. 

23-year-old Merlin, who is a replacement for Adrien Truffert, will reportedly sign to a four-year contract while Rongier will sign a three-year contract.