Todibo chooses Lens on loan and inflicts fresh disappointment on Marseille

Jean-Clair Todibo will not wear an Olympique de Marseille shirt this summer. The French international defender, under contract with West Ham, has chosen to join Racing Club de Lens on loan without an option to buy, according to reports revealed on Sunday. The player was already on site to undergo his medical examination.

OM had seemed well-positioned in this deal. Keen to strengthen their central defence with an experienced profile, Marseille’s recruitment team had approached the former OGC Nice defender in recent weeks. Some media outlets even claimed in mid-August that he had given his verbal agreement to the Phocaean club. The situation ultimately evolved in favour of the Lens club.

This fresh disappointment is part of a particularly difficult summer transfer window for Marseille. Constrained by a tight financial situation, the club sold Mason Greenwood to Fenerbahçe, but had to hand over a large share of the sale proceeds to Manchester United, the English striker’s academy club. The departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Geronimo Rulli generated only marginal revenue.

Incoming deals have fared no better. The transfer of Nayef Aguerd from West Ham to Real Sociedad, which could have freed up Todibo, fell through. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for his part refused a hasty departure. Bruno Genesio, appointed manager in early summer, himself acknowledged that the market was unfolding well below his expectations.

With two days until the transfer window closes, one final deal remains pending: that of Igor Paixao. The Brazilian midfielder could leave Marseille if the club needs additional revenue, a prospect that Genesio hopes to avoid.