Why on earth would Olympique de Marseille even consider letting two of their star players leave during this transfer window? It makes no sense, but then a lot of football related transactions seem absolutely barmy from the outside looking in, things are rarely how they seem.
Hammers would be the beneificiaries of Olympique de Marseille's woes IF the club can put together a financial package that is tempting enough for the French team, that is because Marseille are financially screwed! Year upon years of financial mismanagement have finally come home to roost in the South of France, as ex-Hammer Dimitri Payet's club have been forced into continuing austerity measures to avoid sanctions from UEFA and point deductions from the French FA.
In 2017/18 Marseille finished fourth, a single point behind Champions’ League bound Lyon and the result was a net loss of over €78m. This was the second straight season OM recorded losses – giving the club one year to turn around its financial outlook. The trajectory was nearly identical to that of Lille, who at the end of the 2017/18 season posted losses of €140m after slavishly pursuing Champions’ League football. The northern French side came under close scrutiny from the DNCG and it took a €142m cash infusion, supported by JP Morgan and others, from owner Gérard López to save the club from LFP-imposed relegation.
Marseille found itself in a similar conundrum; bloated with unsellable contracts and incapable of raising sufficient funds through player trading, it seemed unlikely the club would be able to recover organically. Moreover, Marseille had recently finished one-point shy of third place and gone all the way to the Europa League final, before ultimately losing to Atlético Madrid. It could taste Champions’ League football.
Therefore, the 2018/19 season saw Marseille modestly increase its wage bill – determined to stay the course. It was a disastrous campaign; the club finished fifth – a full 11 points out of the Champions’ League places. The losses topped €90m and Marseille were forced to appear in front of UEFA’s club financial control board.
All of this means that OM are so desperate to raise money, that they will accept offers far below the market value of players, but the offers have to be CASH UP FRONT, no HP in any way or form, which rules out HHammers normal modus operandi.
However IF the club could buy BOTH players for a combined fee of €25 Million which is what we have heard OM's bottom line price is, then it might be worth a punt in order to solve TWO problem areas in one hit! Often fans sites suggest prices like €25 Million for two players are a bargain, well they are NOT! Not if the selling team is in financial schtuk, Hammers have been on the receiving end having to sell at low prices before, with that 'vulture' Daniel Levy being one of the chief benefactors, well the boot's on the other foot now, unfortunately it is Olympique de Marseille who are in dire need rather than Tottingham!
Get it done M&N before the Toon somehow manage to hoover them up!- LN
