Olympique de Marseille is actively seeking to fill the void left by Elye Wahi following his official transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt, with reports indicating interest in Amine Gouiri from Stade Rennais.
With Wahi's departure leaving Marseille without one of its key attacking players, coach Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear the club is determined to secure a notable replacement. "It is necessary to be mindful of the financial balance, but we are OM. If Wahi leaves, we need a strong attacker to replace him," De Zerbi stated at a press conference, signaling urgency and intent on the part of the management.
Gouiri, who signed with Rennais until 2027, has had a mixed season, talling only 2 goals and 2 assists over 19 appearances. Despite this, his profile as both a scorer and creator aligns with what Marseille is after. De Zerbi and the club's management have reportedly shown favor for Gouiri, recognizing his potential to fit seamlessly within their tactical framework.
According to L'Équipe, initial discussions have taken place to evaluate the feasibility of acquiring Gouiri. Interestingly, Marseille cannot loan players to other French clubs due to restrictions already met, raising the stakes for the negotiations. To tackle this issue effectively, names like Ismaël Koné have surfaced as potential inclusions to facilitate the transfer. Koné, who arrived last summer from Watford, appears to be out of favor at Marseille, and his inclusion might help bridge the deal for Gouiri.
Even with the potential for negotiations, Stade Rennais is unlikely to accept just any trade. They have indicated their preference for financial compensation alongside any player movement, which complicates matters. It’s also worth noting Gouiri has previously turned down offers, including one from Galatasaray, reflecting his desire to remain competitive within Europe.
With Gouiri’s current performance under scrutiny, the next match for Stade Rennais against AS Monaco this Saturday at 17:00 is pivotal, not just for team standings but potentially for Gouiri’s evaluation as Marseille pursues its options.
While negotiations are still underway, this transfer saga showcases the pressing needs of pursuing clubs, reflected not only by their actions but by the competitive spirits they embody. Gouiri's future remains uncertain as both clubs seek to formalize this deal, but interest from Marseille signals Gouiri's undeniable talent and potential.