In contact with OM at the beginning of the summer, Youcef Atal was unable to join the Marseille team. Voices were raised to prevent him from setting down his suitcases at the Vélodrome because of his legal past.
Atal in talks with Benatia
We thought this track was definitely closed in Marseille, but it turns out that the Olympian management is still thinking about him. According to the journalist Nabil Djellit, the 2019 African champion would have had many telephone conversations with the club’s advisor, Mehdi Benatia. Being a “free agent”, he is able to sign with the team of his choice at any time, even outside the transfer window. At OM, he would come to strengthen a right corridor which is sorely lacking in options.
Youcef Atal has been without a club since the end of his adventure with Adama Demirspor last June. He was transferred there for free by OGC Nice.
Atal made a name for himself last Thursday by making a great start with the Algerian team against Equatorial Guinea (2-0). He only played for a quarter of an hour but was very visible and particularly lively. When he was asked about the presence of a player without a club on the list, coach Vladimir Petkovic said it was to “support him”.
