Juventus outcast set for surprise Marseille switch | OneFootball

Timothy Weah is inching closer to a Juventus exit, with Olympique Marseille now at the forefront of his potential destinations, according to Tutto Juve. After previously turning down an approach from Nottingham Forest, the United States international has expressed a clear interest in joining the French side, whose project has reportedly caught his attention.

Roberto De Zerbi, newly installed as Marseille manager, has personally identified Weah as a key target to strengthen his squad ahead of Champions League football. Negotiations between Marseille representatives and Weah’s camp are ongoing and described as positive, but a full agreement with Juventus remains the final hurdle. The Turin club signed Weah from Lille in 2023 for around €11 million and are now looking to recoup a comparable fee.

Notably, the dynamics around Weah’s departure shifted after his agent firmly rejected an earlier Premier League switch, stating that Weah “is not a puppet” and should choose a destination that aligns both with career ambitions and personal motivation. The situation is notably different with Marseille, where Weah appears keen on the move and sees the club’s project as an appealing next step.

Juventus have largely excluded Weah from their future plans under new management, and he has been considered available on the transfer market throughout the summer. Internal discussions remain focused on the structure of a deal—whether a straight sale or an initial loan with a purchase obligation—but the expectation is that Juventus will look to recover most, if not all, of their investment from a year ago.

For Marseille, Weah’s versatility is a significant attraction. De Zerbi’s interest hints at possible use both as a wing-back and in more advanced roles on the right, areas where the Ligue 1 club seek to boost quality and reliability. The match between player ambitions and club needs is considered strong, with sources close to negotiations indicating optimism that an agreement can be reached soon.

Juventus, meanwhile, appear intent on streamlining their squad for incoming transfers and easing wage commitments as part of a broader rebuild. Weah’s departure, should it go through, is set to open space for targeted reinforcements elsewhere in the squad.

While formalities remain, the momentum around the Marseille deal stands in sharp contrast to previous transfer attempts, notably the move to Nottingham Forest that failed to materialize. Weah’s eventual destination now depends on final talks between Marseille and Juventus, with all sides expected to push for a resolution in the coming days.

(Source: Tutto Juve)

Photo by Kevin C Cox/Getty Images