Roberto De Zerbi promises busy end to Marseille transfer window | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi has promised a busy final stretch of the summer transfer window, with both arrivals and departures expected before the deadline.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s Ligue 1 season opener away at Stade Rennais, the Italian coach explained that while he is happy with his squad, the club will still be active in the market. “We are more competitive this year,” said De Zerbi at a press conference attended by Get French Football News. “We will have more matches, so we will need to manage workloads to avoid more injuries. But the transfer window is not over — for arrivals and departures.”

Club captain Leonardo Balerdi, now the longest-serving player in the squad following Valentin Rongier’s departure to Rennes, had earlier expressed hope that no key players would leave. However, De Zerbi admitted that while he does not expect departures among his core group — including Balerdi, Gerónimo Rulli, Adrien Rabiot, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, and Mason Greenwood — several out-of-favour players are set to move on.

The former Brighton boss confirmed that up to seven players could leave, with players such as Faris Moumbagna, Amine Harit, and Azzedine Ounahi expected to depart. The club also retains an interest in Lille winger Edon Zhegrova, although negotiations are proving difficult.

“It’s easy to leave Marseille but hard to find somewhere similar,” De Zerbi reflected. “Keeping our leaders is important for the club and for them.”GFFN | George Boxall – reporting from La Commanderie, Marseille