It was expected, it’s official. After saying goodbye to his previous club, Atlético Madrid, where he had been playing since 2020, Geoffrey Kondogbia officially commits to OM this Friday. Former of Lens, Seville, Monaco, Inter and Valence, the native of Nemours, Central African international (10 caps, 1 goal) signed, it is said, for four seasons and an amount estimated at 8 M€. One thing is certain: the new Marseille manager is no stranger to the 30-year-old. Kondogbia was indeed “one of the centerpieces (of) the device” of Marcelino in Valencia, when the Ché club notably overcame FC Barcelona in the final of the 2018-19 King’s Cup. Geoffrey Kondogbia then joined the ranks of Atlético Madrid, where he won the Spanish title in 2020-21. He is the first recruit of the summer at OM.
Patrick Vieira, new coach of Strasbourg? It’s done, according to multiple sources. President Marc Keller, however, still wants to be cautious. “We are looking for a coach. I will not make an announcement tonight. I hope to finalize this file by Sunday. You have to think carefully, meet people, discuss… I hope the file will be settled by Sunday. Patrick Vieira is part of our shortlist, ”says the president of the Alsatian club, on RMC. Vieira, 47, has been free since leaving Crystal Palace in March. He previously officiated in New York and Nice, he who should therefore succeed Frédéric Antonetti at Racing.
PSG voiceless since the start of the transfer window? Yes, at least officially. In fact, Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio, Cher Ndour, Manuel Ugarte and Lucas Hernandez are expected in Paris, where the appointment of Luis Enrique as coach is only a matter of days. The champions of France, however, do not intend to stop there. With the departure of Leo Messi and the non-arrival of a centre-forward last summer, they have to rethink their attacking sector. Obviously, this would be even more the case if Kylian Mbappé left by the end of the summer transfer window… According to Le Parisien, Luis Campos has an envelope “of at least 200 million euros” for to achieve its goals. For the right side, the priority is well known: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City). Estimated value? In the 80 M€. In front, the track Victor Osimhen (Naples) is complicated given the demands of the Italian champion (€180m?). Still according to the Ile-de-France daily, PSG is therefore working primarily on the arrival of Harry Kane (Tottenham), even if Bayern seem to have a head start, but also Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt) “another international striker, who could be Marcus Rashford”. The latter should extend to Manchester United, but it is not yet recorded.
Samuel Umtiti and Barça, it’s over. Arrived at Camp Nou in 2016 and loaned to Lecce last summer, in order to revive after repeated injuries in recent years, the 29-year-old world champion is released by the Catalan club. “FC Barcelona and the player Samuel Umtiti have reached an agreement regarding the termination of the contract which united them until 2025-26”, we learn in a press release from the Spanish champion club at the end of the past season. During his first two years at Barça, the former Lyonnais was regularly aligned in the starting lineup. After the 2018 World Cup, he was rarely spared injury. Umtiti has found a smile and playing time with Lecce (25 matches), he whose name is mentioned at Olympique Lyonnais. Samuel Umtiti leaves Barcelona with two Spanish league titles, three Copa del Rey successes and two in the Spanish Super Cup, having played 133 matches with the Blaugranas (2 goals).
Francesco Farioli in Nice, it’s done. Passed by Turkey (Karagümrük, Alanyaspor) for his first experiences as number 1 on a bench, the 34-year-old Italian technician, free since last February, has been appointed head of the Aiglons. Former assistant to Roberto De Zerbi in Sassuolo and Benevento, but also passed by the Italian Federation or the Aspire Academy in Qatar, Farioli “has a modern style and a working methodology in which we recognize ourselves”, as Florent rejoices. Ghisolfi, the Sports Director of the Gym. And to continue: “The analysis of the teams he has coached and our numerous discussions with Francesco on the game project to be implemented led to our choice. Possession, aggressiveness with and without the ball, ability to defend very high, verticality, presence in the opponent’s area… he shapes his teams with the intensity we are looking for. He will be able to rely on the expertise of our performance unit to serve this ambition.” Not failing to state his “tremendous pride” in sitting on the Nice bench, Francesco Farioli succeeds Didier Digard, who himself took over from Lucien Favre during the past season. The said Didier Digard still does not leave the OGCN: “A club man and a high-quality technician, he remains at the Gym, which entrusts him with the management of the newly formed elite group at the Training Center”.
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