Lucas Perri will definitely have animated the entire OM summer transfer window. While the Marseille club was looking for a solution to the goalkeeper position, the former Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper quickly attracted the attention of Marseille. But in this particularly eventful issue, Torino had taken a head start and seemed to have all the cards in hand. The Italian club reached an agreement with Leeds and the player in mid-July, before seeing OM return to the race as the summer progressed. The Marseillais even tried to overtake Toro in the final straight, but the contacts resumed by the Turinese with the Brazilian’s entourage finally allowed the Italian club to definitively regain the upper hand.
The series had, however, experienced several twists and turns before concluding. While still in rehabilitation after his quadriceps injury, the Brazilian goalkeeper had to undergo a medical examination in Italy, a step which had rightly raised many questions. Torino had finally strengthened its offer, with a purchase option increased to 14 million euros and an optional fourth year, before definitively validating its arrival. The Brazilian joined Turin on August 29 in the form of a loan with an option to buy, after leaving Leeds, where he had played 20 matches in all competitions the previous season. For OM, the file seemed closed. And with hindsight, Marseille could ultimately harbor absolutely no regrets.
Very difficult start for Perri
Because Perri’s debut at Torino is complicated to say the least. Highly awaited by the Italian club, which had agreed to bet big on him and quickly entrust him with the keys to his cage despite the young Diego Mascardi who was pushing behind the scenes, the Brazilian began his adventure with a huge error during the elimination in the Coppa Italia against Monza. Dany Mota’s goal was a direct result of an error by the goalkeeper in the final seconds of the first period, when Torino had already shown themselves feverish. A few days later, Perri was again at fault in Fiorentina’s opener, although he then recovered with several important saves and contributed to Toro’s success at Franchi. He himself admitted after the match that he could have done better on Pellegrino’s shot. Then came Roma, this Monday, for a new, particularly anticipated meeting. Holder for this fourth day of Serie A, Perri again showed difficulties in his recovery and his management of the ball, in a meeting finally won (0-2) by the Romans.
And this new performance necessarily resonates with his words spoken on the eve of the clash against Roma. Asked by DAZNPerri was particularly enthusiastic about his first weeks in Piedmont and especially insisted on the confidence he had in Ignazio Abate, his new teammates and his new environment. “It’s a pleasure talking to you. Honestly, everything went very well. Having the trust of the coach, the city and my teammates is essential: everyone helps me adapt and integrate. I’m really happy and honored to represent this club, and I can’t wait to prove myself here. » He added on the importance of this trust “Yes, I’m very happy. Everything went very well, in particular thanks to the confidence of the coach. I really like the city and I like it there. I fit in well with my teammates here in Turin: in short, trust is essential. » A few hours later, Torino lost to Roma and Perri failed to reassure further. After all the twists and turns of the summer, OM can look at the situation with a certain relief. The goalkeeper was highly coveted, Torino fought to get him and Marseille had long seemed to have missed a great opportunity. But considering its first Italian outings, the Marseille club could ultimately have avoided a problem rather than having missed a solution.
