The sale of Olympique de Marseille is suddenly back in the news, even though no new information has come out. The visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to France provokes rumors and some fantasies.
In France for a week, Mohammed bin Salman met Emmanuel Macron on Friday at the Élysée Palace. But the possible takeover of OM by the senior Saudi official was obviously not on the menu for the two men. Despite this, this stay of the crown prince has revived all speculation about the sale of the club to Frank McCourt. And, all the more so as various Marseille influencers have entered the dance, adding confusion to that which has already existed for more than two years. Among those who believe that the sale of Olympique de Marseille is imminent, we enjoy every clue. In the opposite camp, it is pointed out that days, weeks, months and years pass without anything materializing. And, the words of Georges Malbrunot, who responded to ForzaOM TVgo rather in their direction, the journalist of Figaro, not being more convinced than that that Saudi Arabia wants to develop in France.
France has a problem with Islam and racism
France Saudi Arabia: the one-on-one lunch at the Elysee Palace between Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salman did not help to iron out differences on issues such as Ukraine and Lebanon. My analysis in Le Figaro. https://t.co/r569wJsQHc
—Georges Malbrunot (@Malbrunot) June 16, 2023
” The Saudis will buy a club, because it is part of their strategy, as was the case for Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. And there’s no reason why they can’t have onefirst launched the journalist specializing in the Middle East, before saying why Mohammed ben Salmane could however not want to position himself in football in France. They don’t necessarily need this club to be in France. Our country for the Saudi leaders has become a summer resort country. Mohammed ben Salmane bought his large castle in Louveciennes, near Paris, the royal family has its own in the south near Vallauris. Unfortunately, we are no longer a priority for Saudi Arabia in terms of investments. Mohammed ben Salmane loves oysters from the Gillardeau house, but that’s a bit of folklore. Many Saudis love France, but it’s more for holidays than for investing. They know that France has problems with Islam, that there are problems with racism and therefore all this casts a shadow on the image of our country in Saudi Arabia. They like to come on vacation to Paris or to the Côte d’Azur. But, when it comes to investing, Germany is in a better position than us. »
