Olympique de Marseille (OM) gears up for their first winter signing, with the imminent arrival of Cameroonian midfielder Jean Onana (23). Departing from Istanbul, Onana’s journey to Marseille is set to culminate this Sunday evening. This move is a crucial step for OM, especially with the absence of key internationals who departed for the Ivorian CAN (scheduled from January 13 to February 11).
Gennaro Gattuso, the Italian coach, faces a challenging scenario with a significantly weakened midfield, relying only on Geoffrey Kondogbia and Jordan Veretout as potential starters. However, the management fulfills the imperative need to fortify this sector by securing the arrival of Jean Onana, confirming earlier speculations disclosed from Saturday to Sunday.
The upcoming phase involves Onana undergoing medical assessments on Monday, paving the way for the finalization of his signing—a loan deal accompanied by an option to purchase. This move marks Onana’s return to Ligue 1 after previous stints with Lille OSC, Girondins de Bordeaux, and Racing Club de Lens, accumulating a total of 45 league appearances. His recent tenure on the other side of the Bosphorus, involving 10 matches across the Süper Lig and the C4, presented its challenges, making his return to France a promising opportunity to reestablish consistent playing time.
For the Indomitable Lion with ten international selections, this transfer offers a chance to reignite his career and make a significant impact in Ligue 1. OM’s strategic acquisition of Onana aims to bolster their midfield depth, injecting vitality and skill into Gattuso’s squad, potentially reshaping their dynamics for the remainder of the season.
