The Olympique de Marseille continues its summer preparation with a friendly match against FC Valencia, scheduled for Tuesday 29 July in Tarragona. This fourth test, following the victories against Excelsior Maasluis, Olympic Charleroi and Girona, is a crucial step for Roberto De Zerbi’s team, which aims to fine-tune its organisation and integrate the new recruits before the recovery of Ligue 1 on 15 August in Rennes. The game will be broadcast live on Twitch, OM’s website for subscribers, and The Team channel with a 25-minute delay. This meeting is seen as an important test for OM, which seeks to build its team according to the style of its new coach.

At the same time, OM formalized the loan with option to purchase Ismaël Koné in Sassuolo, a logical decision given the lack of playing time in the Canadian midfielder under the Marseille jersey. Arrived in 2023, Koné did not succeed and his departure is part of the club’s desire to reduce its staff and give young talent more opportunities. The financial agreement provides for a paying loan of €2.5 million and a mandatory purchase option of €10 million if Sassuolo remains in Serie A, with a sales clause for OM. This departure marks a new stage in the reconstruction of the OM workforce.

Finally, OM seems to be preparing to finalize the arrival of Igor Paixão, a Brazilian left winger from Feyenoord, to reinforce its attack. The fast and provocative player has already shown his talent in a Champions League match against AC Milan. Despite statistics of dribbles and decisive passes in Eredivisia that raise questions about his ability to adapt to Ligue 1, Paixão has an offensive potential that could match De Zerbi’s style of play. OM, aware of the risks, relies on this striking profile to boost its attack, while wondering if it will succeed in imposing itself where other players in Eredivisie have failed.