OM wants to sell Gouiri despite brace, Villarreal declines

Amine Gouiri scored a brace on Friday evening during Olympique de Marseille’s 4-0 victory over Strasbourg in the opening match of the first day of Ligue 1, but this changes nothing in the club’s plans: the Algerian international is indeed on the market.

According to journalist Nordine Ali Saïd, the Marseille board offered Gouiri “last week to several clubs, including Villarreal, which did not pursue it further”. The fee set by OM for its 26-year-old striker is between €30 and €35 million.

The context is clear: OM must reduce its wage bill before the close of the summer transfer window in order to recruit. Bruno Genesio confirmed this after the match against Strasbourg. “We must lower our wage bill, as long as that is not done, we cannot sign anyone. It could be three players, four players, five players… There is a week left, this match can help us see more clearly,” said the Marseille coach.

Gouiri is not the only one facing a potential departure, but his case illustrates the tension between the club’s financial imperatives and on-field performances. The week ahead promises to be decisive for OM, which will need to find buyers before the transfer window closes.