Olympique de Marseille faces tension over youth academy integration

Olympique de Marseille is facing internal tension as manager Bruno Genesio continues to overlook highly-rated youth academy talents despite a limited first-team squad and poor league standing.

Two prominent U19 French international players, Milan Leccese and Antoine Valero, are reportedly losing patience. Leccese, a standout performer with significant youth international experience, has seen interest from clubs like Stade Brestois, but Marseille's sporting director Grégory Lorenzi blocked a potential move to retain him. However, Leccese remains frustrated by his lack of integration into the professional squad.

Similarly, 18-year-old striker Antoine Valero has stalled negotiations regarding his first professional contract. Valero is demanding strict sporting guarantees concerning his involvement with the senior team before signing, a condition the club's management has so far refused to meet. The standoff puts the club at risk of losing both prospects to interested parties, such as RC Lens.