Olympique de Marseille undoubtedly holds one of the most beautiful picks of its summer transfer window. Recruited on loan to Brighton, Matt O'riley has been gaining momentum for several weeks and confirmed all his potential on Friday during the Marseille victory in Metz (0-3). The Danish midfielder, already in sight during his first outings, this time scored a goal and issued a decisive pass, symbol of his rise in regime and of his growing importance in the Zerbi Roberto system.
The Italian coach, seduced by his profile, did not praise praise at the microphone of BeIN Sports on Friday: “What does O'riley bring us?” Already, he is left -handed and it counts in our way of playing. Its body positioning is different from Højbjerg, it can fit into the game and score goals ”he explained after the meeting. De Zerbi also praised “an intelligent player, just in his choices and able to advance the whole team”.
A Saliba Bis?
But while OM savor this find, bad news is already looming. Unlike other recruits arrived on loan this summer, O'riley has no purchase options in his contract. A situation reminiscent of the previous William Saliba, sparkling in Marseille before returning to Arsenal for lack of agreement for a final transfer.
Currently estimated at 22 million euros on TransferMarkt, the Danish could see his value fly away in the event of a full season in the Olympian jersey, all the more with the showcase of the Champions League. Aware of the risk, Mehdi Benatia, OM sports director, has already warned: “If Matt continues like that, we will do everything to keep it definitively”. It remains to be seen whether Brighton will be cooperative … In the meantime, the Marseille supporters savor the hatching of an already essential player.
