De Zerbi to raid Arsenal and Chelsea for STATEMENT signing

Olympique de Marseille want to make a statement signing this month and are targeting defenders at Arsenal and Chelsea, according to French media.

The French giants’ first season under Roberto de Zerbi got off to a promising start, with Marseille looking genuine contenders for the Ligue 1 title this term. However, things eventually came unstuck and the Italian even lost his cool in a press conference and offered to resign.

Ultimately, his players rallied behind De Zerbi and while results have improved, it likely won’t be enough to dethrone perennial champions PSG, who are currently 10 points clear atop the standings.

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The foundation for the encouraging start to Marseille’s season was built in the summer. An ambitious transfer policy saw the club provide De Zerbi with high-calibre players, many of whom arrived from his former stomping ground in the Premier League.

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The policy of signing players from England has proved a resounding success, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and the disgraced Mason Greenwood enjoying a good season, while Neal Maupay and Jonathan Rowe have had their moments of triumph.

One problem that De Zerbi identified ahead of January was the defence. Former Newcastle man Chancel Mbemba is to be forced out of the club, while Lillian Brassier could leave after just six months.

This means that a fresh face is to be brought in and La Provence reports that Marseille are interested in versatile Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior and Chelsea centre-back Benoit Badiashile.

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Both players are struggling for minutes and have been heavily linked with a January exit. So far, however, the French giants have failed to convince either club to sell.

In the summer, Arsenal and Marseille were involved in a drawn-out transfer saga over Eddie Nketiah, which ended with the latter walking away from negotiations after deeming the former’s demands excessive. Perhaps this could also complicate the pursuit of Kiwior.

As for Badiashile, Chelsea’s stance has always been that the Frenchman would not be on the market this month despite his lack of meaningful minutes under Enzo Maresca. He is seen as a valued member of the squad and the Blues would be loathe to lose him mid-season.