Mercato Mercato / Olympique de Marseille: Dries Mertens, Giovanni Simeone… Igor Tudor approaching, OM look to Italy

Dries Mertens

The name of the Belgian striker was already circulating on the side of OM before the departure of Sampaoli. The rumor was revived by Corriere dello Sport with the imminent arrival of Tudor on the Canebière. Mertens has the particular advantage of being free since the end of his contract with Naples. He also has a solid experience in the Champions League with 34 matches played, for 16 goals and 12 assists. His arrival would thus meet a need for Marseille, qualified for the C1 and which is sorely lacking in elements accustomed to competing in this competition.

Mertens would obviously not be a reinforcement to prepare for the future. At 35, the Belgian international (105 caps, 21 goals) is entering the twilight of his career. But the native of Leuven proved that he still had it under his belt by scoring 11 goals last season in Serie A, without having an indisputable starting status. His ability to play in all positions on the front of the attack, and in a configuration with one or two attackers, also offers considerable tactical flexibility for any coach. Which also explains why it is coveted. Lazio and Valencia would also be interested.

John Simeone

There too, it is a name that had already been mentioned at OM in the past. The rumor of Marseille’s interest in Giovanni Simeone was revived this Sunday by the calciomercato.it site. If the source is not necessarily reputed to be the most reliable, the track is no less sensible. Diego’s son has shone like never before under Tudor this season with 17 goals and 6 assists in 36 Serie A appearances this season. The Croatian technician never missed the opportunity to praise the 26-year-old Argentine striker. He has reasons to want to take her with him to Marseille.

The case does not look simple, however. Hellas Verona has just secured the services permanently of Simeone, now under contract with the Italian club until 2026. He could be demanding on the price of a possible transfer, especially since the former Cagliari player would be in the sights of other clubs after this particularly successful season. The financial obstacle is significant and Marseille also needs to strengthen in other sectors. He will not necessarily be able to afford a very heavy investment in the Argentinian, even if his profile has something to seduce.

Adrien Tameze/Ivan Ilic

Besides Simeone, other players from Hellas Verona would be in the sights of OM. In particular two midfielders, Ivan Ilic and Adrien Tamèze. The 21-year-old Serbian, permanently transferred from Manchester City for 7.5 million euros last summer, has established himself as an indisputable holder in the midfield for two seasons. Effective collector and good passer, he would also be coveted by Lazio, Sevilla FC and Atlético. His name also circulated on the side of Lyon and Borussia. Marseille would have considerable competition on this file for a player under contract until 2026.

The case of Adrien Tamèze is relatively similar. The former Nice comes out of an XXL season at Hellas Verona, where Tudor had made him one of the basic men in his midfield. Napoli, Fiorentina, Lazio, Valencia and Villarreal, among others, have been named as clubs interested in the Nancy-trained player. Like Ilic, Tamèze, under contract until 2024, has a profile that would certainly do good to the Marseille midfield, orphan of Boubacar Kamara. But the financial capacity of Marseille to embark on this kind of track raises questions.

Matias Vecino

He does not play at Hellas Verona, but Matias Vecino would be followed by OM. The 30-year-old Uruguayan international midfielder has been without a club since the end of his contract with Inter. Pablo Longoria had already inquired about him before the announcement of Sampaoli’s departure according to Sky Italia, although there are conflicting reports on this subject. This track could possibly be revived with the arrival of Tudor according to the media El Desmarque. And thus confirm the attractiveness of OM for the market of players playing in Italy.