What changed
2026-07-26 09:54 UTC → 2026-07-28 10:53 UTC ·
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Olympique de Marseille cuts payroll, overhauls squad presses payroll cuts, sells Højbjerg
Olympique de Marseille is still wrestling with a €100 million wage bill left by the previous regime. Owner Frank McCourt, president Stéphane Richard and sporting director Grégory Lorenzi remain committed to halving the payroll before the 2026‑27 season. Recent sales of Mason Greenwood, Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang and Hamed Junior Traoré have trimmed about €15 million, and continues its austerity drive into July 2026. With no firm offer for midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, the club board is preparing prepared to terminate Geoffrey Kondogbia’s his €450,000‑per‑month contract in his final year if no offer materialises. year, shaving further wage costs. President Stéphane Richard reiterated the two high‑profile pre‑season friendlies – Athletic Bilbao on 9 August and Atlético Madrid on 14 August – as revenue generators and a means to mend relations with fans after a disappointing campaign. The summer window is being approached as remains a zero‑transfer‑budget zero‑budget exercise. The board club is scouting cost‑controlled additions, notably still eyeing a season‑long loan of Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio with Asencio, which carries a conditional €15 million purchase option. Defensive cover is also being explored through a loan‑with‑option‑to‑buy option, and continues to scout cost‑controlled additions. In line with the wage‑cut mandate, Marseille has now agreed to sell Danish midfielder Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg to AC Milan for centre‑back Jean‑Claude Todibo, while around €15 million. The deal pushes the departures of Leonardo Balerdi club’s total summer sales toward the roughly €80 million target demanded by the DNCG and Nayef Aguerd are under review. Pre‑season friendlies against Athletic Bilbao (9 August) and Atlético Madrid (14 August) have been announced to fill the Vélodrome, generate revenue UEFA scrutiny, complementing earlier exits of Mason Greenwood, Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang and mend others. Sporting director Grégory Lorenzi operates as the relationship with fans after a fifth‑place finish and a French Cup final loss. Coach financial overseer, while coach Bruno Genesio continues to rotate persists in rotating fringe players and promote promoting academy talent, with 18‑year‑old striker Antoine Valero highlighted as a potential surprise scorer. talent. Analysts note observe that the austerity drive could measures may tighten squad spirit, but critics warn that the lack of reinforcements may could jeopardise Marseille’s competitiveness in Ligue 1 and the Europa League. The club’s strategy blends aggressive wage‑bill reduction, selective sales, cautious reinforcement and accelerated youth promotion to satisfy DNCG financial mandates while remaining competitive.