Olympique de Marseille (OM) continues to fortify its squad, with the latest addition being the highly-talented center-back, Josip Sutalo. After securing the services of Iliman Ndiaye, OM’s sporting director, Pablo Longoria, wasted no time in pursuing the Croatian defender as part of the club’s ongoing plan to bolster their defensive line.
The current focus for the Marseille-based club lies in shoring up their defense, following the successful acquisitions of world-class players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ismaïla Sarr, and Geoffrey Kondogbia. With these notable signings, OM now possesses a team that boasts a formidable lineup. However, the management recognizes the need to address the remaining gaps, particularly in their defense.
The objective is to fill the void left by the departure of Éric Bailly. Several candidates were carefully considered, including the Moroccan captain, Romain Saïss. Despite advanced negotiations with Saiss, Marseille officials, under the guidance of coach Marcelino, eventually withdrew their interest. Marcelino’s preference is to invest in a younger talent to complement the team’s defensive line, and his choice appears to have landed on Josip Sutalo.
Sutalo, a Croatian prodigy currently playing for Dinamo Zagreb, has had an impressive season, registering three goals in 36 appearances. Widely regarded as one of the best defenders in his country, Josip Sutalo is a promising talent for the future. Marseille’s management is actively working behind the scenes to secure the services of this Croatian international, who has amassed eight national team caps. However, fierce competition awaits in the pursuit of the young defender.
The RB Leipzig, in addition to Lyon (OL), has expressed a strong desire to secure the 23-year-old Croatian’s signature and appears to have taken the lead in negotiations. A potential agreement is reportedly close to being reached between the concerned parties. Time is of the essence for Olympique de Marseille, as they must now employ persuasion and showcase generosity to finalize this crucial transaction. The question remains whether Marseille will edge out the competition from RB Leipzig and successfully convince the Croatian player to join their ranks.
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