Youcef Atal unlikely to sign for Marseille | OneFootball

Until recently, Youcef Atal (28) believed that he would be joining Olympique de Marseille as a replacement for Jonathan Clauss (31). According to L’Équipe, some sources had even revealed to them that they believed a medical had been scheduled for the 5th of July.

However, as the French outlet writes, it has become increasingly unlikely that Atal will be joining Marseille. The Algerian international is currently a free agent, six months after leaving OGC Nice for Adana Demirspor.

The link between Marseille and Atal had been strongly criticised by some parts of the city, with the mayor, Benoît Payan, denouncing the club’s intention to sign a player that Nice had sold after he had been found guilty of provoking racial hatred.

Payan had warned the club that while he had no power over their decision-making he would be in contact to try and do everything possible to dissuade them from signing the defender.

GFFN | Nick Hartland