Former Olympique de Marseille sporting director Mehdi Benatia has publicly accused the club’s former chairman, Pablo Longoria, of lying about the transfer funds available for new player signings.
Benatia, who previously held the sporting director role at the French club, stated that Longoria misled both him and current coach Roberto De Zerbi regarding the financial resources for player acquisitions. According to Benatia, De Zerbi had been led to believe that €30 million would be available for January signings, specifically to bring in a top striker.
However, Benatia revealed a starkly different reality. He informed De Zerbi that the club actually needed to generate €35 million from player sales, rather than having funds to spend. This significant discrepancy prompted De Zerbi to express surprise, stating that this was not what he had been told.
Financial Pressures at Marseille
The former Juventus player, Benatia, did not mince words when asked if he felt tricked by Longoria. Speaking in an interview with Canal+, Benatia bluntly stated: “He lied to me, that’s for sure. I’m saying it on TV: he lied to me. Of course he lied to me!”
This accusation sheds light on the financial challenges facing Olympique de Marseille. The club is under pressure from French financial regulators to cut costs and trim its squad. This situation follows a summer transfer window where Marseille failed to sign a single player, indicating existing financial constraints.
The revelations from Benatia highlight the difficult position Marseille finds itself in, particularly as the upcoming winter transfer window approaches. The need to generate funds from player sales rather than having a budget for new signings could significantly impact the club’s ability to strengthen its squad.