Olympique de Marseille is a mystery. A big club, burdened by a rich history and often unbearable pressure from the demanding fans, the club from Stade Velodrome has spent the last couple of decades racing from one crisis to another, with only sporadic flashes of success putting them briefly at ease. Last season, they appointed the energetic Jorge Sampaoli to replace Andre Villas-Boas, who left after a dispute with club directors.Bringing in Sampaoli to a damaged club resembled pouring gasoline onto an open flame at the time, but the proverbial explosion never happened. Primarily against all expectations, Les Marseilles finished second in the Ligue 1 behind hated rivals Paris and thus qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Everything was rosy, at least for a couple of weeks.🚨 Marseille have offered Axel Witsel a two-year contract worth €8M, with an option of a third year.(Source: @Santi_J_FM) pic.twitter.com/4Fz0XEoR9F— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 15, 2022 Today, club president Pablo Longoria faces the daunting task of putting together a team that would enable the club to build on last season’s results. They don’t want to be cannon fodder in the Champions League. To achieve their goals, the president and the coach are going for experience over potential in this transfer window.After the departure of Boubacar Kamara, who left to join Aston Villa on a free transfer, Sampaoli wants to add another free agent to his midfield, namely Borussia Dortmund’s Belgian veteran Axel Witsel. The 33-year-old’s vast experience should be one of Marseille’s assets.Friday, 16.00: (2.95) Gasogi United (2.85) Rayon Sport (2.55)Since Witsel is free to choose his next club, there will be several suitors. Teams from the United States, Turkey and Germany are enquiring. Atletico Madrid will probably provide the sternest competition for Witsel’s signature. The Belgian is expected to decide before the weekend.Should Witsel opt out of a Marseille move, Longoria will try to sign the former Arsenal man Francis Coquelin from Villarreal. The 31-year-old Frenchman would cost up to $10 million and could also do an excellent job in midfield.Les Marseilles are entering one of the most important transfer windows in recent history.
