Since arriving at OM, Roberto de Zerbi has posted great ambitions to rebuild the workforce. As the 2025-2026 season approaches, the Marseille club has already recorded several significant recruits, such as the return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the promising signature of Igor Peaceão, and the imminent arrival of Timothy Weah. But the Italian coach had other profiles in mind to strengthen his group.
Among his priorities: Evan Ferguson. The Irish striker, trained in Brighton, had already caught the eye of De Zerbi during his visit to the bench of English clubs between 2022 and 2024. Considered one of the great hopes at his post, Ferguson confirmed that he was approached this winter. “The coach sent me a message in January, he wanted to recruit me in Marseille”he said in the Gazzetta dello Sport This Wednesday. But the deal did not succeed. After a six -month loan in West Ham, the 20 -year -old was finally sold to Roma this summer.
Another prestigious name mentioned: Harry Maguire. The central defender of Manchester United, linked to the club until 2026, received several offers during the summer, all pushed by Mancunian leaders, according to the Daily Mail. OM was one of the interested clubs, alongside Monaco, Fenerbahçe or Galatasaray. But Maguire, returned in grace under Ruben Amorim, is today considered a framework of the locker room and one of the six leaders designated by the Portuguese coach. A status that has made any negotiation impossible.
Ismaël Bennacer still considered?
On the Canebière side, the time is now for adjustments. Several undesirable such as Amine Harit, Neal Maupay or Azzedine Ounahi should leave the club by the end of the transfer window. In parallel, OM remains active on the market, in particular to strengthen its midfielder.
According to The teamtwo tracks are still being studied. The first leads to Ismaël Bennacer, whose return is still envisaged. The second, more unexpected, concerns Matt O'riley, Brighton midfielder. Less than a month before the closure of the market, the final sprint is launched.
