The OM general staff had a first look at the Marseille transfer window during the presentation to the Press of Azpi and the new members of the OM back room staff.
Very calm for over a month and a half, the RLD training centre was full of life this Tuesday morning. More than fifty journalists were present for the first press conference of the season; video and photographic cameras were all ready to flash into life when the OM general staff arrived.
Jean-Claude Dassier, Didier Deschamps and José Anigo headed in to present the two staff recruits (Pintus and Dehon) as well as the Spanish player Azpi. It was also the moment to open the transfer window page, something which will have the supporters waiting with baited breath right up until the end of the summer.
The coach would define the philosophy of the OM market for the weeks to come. "The desire is the same, whether it be that of the president, of Margarita Louis-Dreyfus or José (Anigo): We want the team to perform as well as they did last season and be more competitive, he stated to start with, but then there is the reality of the market and notably the Franco-french market which is far too expensive. We will not act stupidly. The team is competitive but could be even more so. We have until the 31st of August to make our changes”.
After the heavy foundation work of last season, this seasons idea is to bring "more quality through a few additions". Didier Deschamps added: "I’m not lacking players, in number or in quality I have the same team as last season. We aren’t going to be making huge changes. As the president said we will be looking to bring in 3 or 4 players, including Azpi".
"We will be looking to bring in 3 or 4 players, including Azpi"
OM will not be going crazy during this transfer window. The departure of Laurent Bonnart (out of contract) being directly balanced with the arrival of the young Spaniard, other dossiers need to be sorted out over the coming days.
Eliminated from the World Cup just a few days ago, Taye Taiwo is "the subject of interest but still under contract" as stated the coach who adds that he still “needs” the Nigerian. José Anigo explained that discussion were underway concerning a contract extension.
This is also the case for two other midfielders Charles Kaboré and André Ayew, whose contract extensions are “priorities” according to the Sporting Director. "Even before this competition, the decision to keep Ayew had been made" confirms Deschamps, adding that the arrival of a defensive midfielder was “one of his priorities”.
Speaking about the attacking sector, there is no "Ben Arfa situation", the discussion between the player and the coach before the end of the season having been conclusive, Mamadou Niang will also remain Olympian. "I want him to stay. He is here and wants to remain as well, I’m not worried" reassures the OM manager who concludes: "Numerically there are a few players up front. Everyone is focused on us bringing in a top striker, but last season we finished second best attack in the L1 with 69 goals”. The transfer window soap opera hasd begun!
