Arsenal Defender Eyed By Marseille Ahead of Crucial Summer

Yahoo

18-05-2025

Marseille's Defensive Rebuild Hinges on Key Targets
Marseille's summer recruitment strategy is already being shaped around one pressing issue — the defence. With Roberto De Zerbi's side conceding 44 goals this season and ranking 8th in Ligue 1 defensively, bolstering the backline is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Foot Mercato French has reported a series of ambitious targets, as Medhi Benatia draws up plans to strengthen OM's spine. The Marseille faithful may be hoping for reinforcements, but financial reality and negotiating pitfalls suggest this saga could be just as dramatic as anything seen on the pitch.
Familiar Failings and Fresh Intent
Lilian Brassier and Luiz Felipe were expected to deliver solidity. Instead, they've flattered to deceive, placing added pressure on Leonardo Balerdi and Geoffrey Kondogbia to hold the line. It's a situation that has prompted urgent internal analysis and aggressive scouting efforts, especially for a left-sided centre-back.
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'In Marseille, experienced profiles are being studied.' Among them are Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal), Olivier Boscagli (PSV), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), and Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund). These are players who have tasted international football, understand high-stakes environments, and — in theory — would represent a substantial upgrade.
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'The Polish international has been followed for a long time,' Foot Mercato reports, but Arsenal may be unwilling to part with the 24-year-old. Boscagli, although reportedly interested, 'has not made a return to France a priority.' Laporte, wanted by Benatia as early as winter, remains a viable option if a deal can be structured around a free transfer.
Medina Interest Hits Financial Wall
The most striking name on OM's radar is that of Facundo Medina, RC Lens' 25-year-old Argentinian defender. With 145 Ligue 1 matches under his belt and five Argentina caps, he's hardly a gamble. 'According to his compatriot Leonardo Balerdi, he's very keen to join OM,' reads the report.
He's also on the cusp of becoming a French citizen — a big plus, as he'll no longer count against the club's non-EU quota. That ticks several boxes, but not the most important one: affordability.
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'However, according to our information, the Artois club is expecting at least €25 million for an experienced, international player under contract until June 2028.' That figure alone might be enough to scare OM off, but Medina's salary demands — reportedly inflated by his 'very greedy' agent — have also complicated matters.
Budget Constraints and Champions League Variables
This is not a summer where Marseille intends to splurge. Club officials are determined to 'set minimum prices, from which OM does not intend to deviate.' In other words, compromise or collapse.
Should OM qualify for the Champions League, financial flexibility may improve. But for now, every penny counts. Matches against Le Havre and Rennes will likely define both the club's continental future and the funding available to Benatia.
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Still, Marseille's intent is clear. 'We are more certain of the information gathering,' Foot Mercato notes, suggesting the recruitment work is meticulous and ongoing.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
There's a growing buzz around OM's defensive rebuild, and rightly so. For a club that's leaked goals and lost its defensive identity, this kind of clarity and focus from Medhi Benatia is encouraging. Fans are finally seeing a recruitment plan that aims high — Laporte, Kiwior, Medina — those aren't second-tier targets. They're elite-calibre, Champions League-grade defenders.
But there's also an edge of realism creeping in. Medina is perfect on paper — EU passport pending, bags of Ligue 1 experience, and clear enthusiasm to join. Yet, €25 million and a 'greedy' agent? That's déjà vu in the worst way for OM supporters, who've seen deals unravel over cash before. If we miss out because of wage demands, that'll sting.
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Still, this feels like a new OM — less willing to overpay, more focused on long-term financial stability. The key will be Champions League qualification. With that golden ticket, we might just land one or two of these big names. Without it, expect Plan B… or even Plan C.
Let's just hope De Zerbi gets the support he needs. Because with the right defender alongside Balerdi, this team could actually challenge, not just chase.