The saga of the sale of Olympique de Marseille is still fueling debates within the club environment.
Plunged into a period of instability for several weeks, Olympique de Marseille is at a new turning point in its history. President Pablo Longoria has chosen to continue his mission despite the hostility shown towards him by certain groups of supporters. Coach Marcelino, whom Longoria had initially chosen for this 2023-24 financial year, packed his bags to leave his post to Gennaro Gattuso, after the short interim of Jacques Abardonado. In this context, Frank McCourt would not have hidden his concern behind the scenes.
When the OM ship pitches, the saga of a sale of the club returns to the table. Olympique de Marseille would still be in the sights of Saudi Arabia. France Bleu Provence recently indicated that advanced negotiations with Zinédine Zidane had already taken place to consider a potential arrival on the idol’s bench in the event of the club being bought out by the Gulf country. The icon of French football would arrive with an envelope of 300 million euros to take the club to another dimension.
OM sale: the 2 points blocking the Saudis
This scenario is akin to a fantasy among some supporters. From dream to reality, there is only one step. A step that only Frank McCourt can take. On his Twitter account this week, Yacine Ferguson took stock of the matter. The creator of Talk Foot specifies the two reasons which would cool the Saudi Public Investment Fund in the current state of affairs.
The first would be economic, McCourt showing himself to be too greedy on the financial level compared to the numerous personal investments made since his purchase of the club. The second would also be linked to the American businessman, who would like to remain a shareholder with a significant percentage in the capital of the Marseille club. A desire that does not match that of the Saudis.
While waiting for a possible rapprochement of positions, Frank McCourt is not changing his guideline in terms of communication: officially, OM is not for sale.
