Olympique de Marseille are planning to reinforce their defense this summer while planning for the sale of Pol Lirola.
After finishing second behind the newly-crowned UEFA Champions League winners, Paris Saint-German, Marseille want to recruit at least one more centre-back, if not more this summer.
Latest reports from France say Roberto De Zerbi aims to tweak his formation to a back four next season for Les Phocéens return to UEFA Champions League action.
RMC Sport journalist Florent Germain said Les Olympiens are eyeing West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd and Borussia Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaïni.
With both on their radar to reinforce the backline this summer, Marseille could sign either or both.
According to RMC Sport, Marseille are also monitoring Racing Club de Lens defender Facundo Medina, but as La Provence indicated several days ago, Les Olympiens may be hesitant to meet the Sang & Or’s €20-25m valuation of the Argentinian.
Marseille have already added one centre-back to Conrad Jadon Egan-Riley to their squad. The English man joined the club on a free transfer from promoted Premier League side Burnley.
He joins fellow Englishman Angel Gomes, who also left Lille as a free agent at the Provence club.
In a related development, Marseille are preparing for the exit of Lirola.
RMC Sport reported that Marseille are looking to show the 27-year-old the exit door this summer as De Zerbi and the OM hierarchy see the Spaniard as surplus to requirements next season.
Lirola, who scored a vital equalizing goal against Lyon earlier in the season during their 3-2 win last campaign, just didn’t get going, and his appearances were limited for Les Phocéens.
Since he has just a year left on his deal, Marseille want to quickly cash in on him before he can run down his contract and leave for free at the end of the 2025-2026 campaign.
Lirola, who had a spell away at Elche during the 2023-2023 season and at Frosinone during the 2023-2024 season, was not initially meant to feature in De Zerbi’s plans last campaign.
But Lirola was a cover during moments in OM’s campaign last season after their defense got depleted on several occasions due to injury and suspensions.
Les Phocéens will have to make huge summer recruits in defense so that they will have enough players to fill the gaps in defense, especially in view of the Champions League competition next season.
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