Marseille move to keep key players as deadline nears

Marseille are set to keep most of the players who had been expected to leave before the summer transfer window closes. The decision would preserve Bruno Genesio’s current squad, although Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s position remains uncertain with less than a day before the deadline.

Igor Paixão, Quinten Timber, Nayer Aguerd and Emerson Palmieri are now expected to stay at the club. Amine Gouiri and Timothy Weah, both regarded as senior members of the squad, are also likely to remain. Talks involving Sunderland for Paixão and Crystal Palace for Timber did not lead to agreements, prompting Marseille’s leadership to favour continuity.

Genesio had indicated after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Monaco that he wanted the transfer period to end. The coach has maintained regular contact with sporting director Grégory Lorenzi and the president while developments were being handled, and the current direction matches his preference for keeping an established and competitive group together.

Højbjerg is the remaining major question. The midfielder, Marseille’s highest earner at almost €500,000 per month, could still join Juventus on loan with a purchase option, as discussed in Italy. Marseille have a preliminary agreement with Tanguy Ndombele, who is available as a free agent, should that late departure require cover.