While Olympique de Marseille is savoring its qualification for the next Champions League and begins to draw the contours of its workforce for next season, a major internal file disturbs the ambient serenity. One of the executives of the team, a player experienced and appreciated by coach Roberto de Zerbi, finds himself a year from the end of his contract. Management logically submitted a first extension proposal to him. But the player's response, or rather his lack of a positive response for the moment, places Marseille leaders, Pablo Longoria in mind, in a situation to say the least uncomfortable, reviving the specter of expensive free departures that the club has already known in the past.
This framework which puts pressure on his direction is none other than Valentin Rongier. According to daily information The teamthe 30 -year -old midfielder, who arrived in Marseille in the summer of 2019, would have refused the first extension offer made by the club. The former Nantesse, who has always shown a flawless commitment – even playing injured against Lens recently – would very much like to compete in the Champions League under the orders of Roberto de Zerbi, but on an essential condition: that his status within the club is finally fully recognized, which undoubtedly involves significant salary increase and recognition of its importance in the project.
This requirement of recognition places Pablo Longoria in the face of a real dilemma. On the one hand, the desire to keep a key player, appreciated by his coach and who has proven his value and his attachment to the jersey. On the other, the economic reality of a club which must manage its payroll with caution. The team Stresses that negotiations would buy on the financial aspect, the remuneration standards for a player of his post and his age being a point of discussion. The Marseille president, haunted by the free departures of players like Boubacar Kamara or Pape Gueye, knows that he cannot afford to let Rongier arrive at the end of his contract in June 2026 without reacting.
Rongier capsizes OM's plans (and put Longoria in difficulty)!
OM facing the Rongier dilemma: yield or risk a free departure?
The Rongier case, far from isolated, illustrates the complexity of the summer transfer window which is announced for OM. Despite the Champions League financial windfall, everything is not rosy and simple in Marseille. Between the players at the end of the contract, those who wish to revalued, and the recruitment needs to be competitive on all the tables, Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia expect loaded and potentially tense weeks. Many “hot files” are on the table and will require tight discussions.
By refusing this first offer, Valentin Rongier clearly puts OM's management in embarrassment. The club must now decide: make a substantial financial effort to satisfy an essential framework and appreciated by De Zerbi, or take the risk of seeing him go free in a year, or even having to sell it this summer so as not to lose everything. A delicate situation which proves that even with the Champions League in pocket, the management of a high -level workforce remains a permanent balancingist exercise.
