Benatia convinced of the project
©IMAGO
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot is returning to his homeland after five years and was greeted by numerous fans of Olympique Marseille at the airport on Tuesday night. The most valuable professional without a club also spoke for the first time about the reasons behind his upcoming move to the Ligue 1 club and his sporting goals. The medical check is still pending, and the French are expected to complete the move during the course of the day.
French media had already celebrated the agreement between the 48-time national player and OM, which confirmed it late on Sunday evening, as a huge transfer coup at the start of the week. The 29-year-old admitted late on Monday evening that he “didn’t expect” the fuss surrounding him and continued: “It warms my heart. I know that my family is happy too. I’m full of anticipation to play and win. I was told that 400 to 500 people came, it’s really unbelievable.”
From Milan to Man United, Atlético, West Ham and Galatasaray – the list of those interested in the European Championship participant, whose contract with Juventus Turin expired in the summer after five years, has been long in recent weeks. Rabiot has also been regularly linked with FC Bayern. It came as a surprise to many that his target is now the eighth-placed team from last season in the French top flight.
Olympique is said to have been in talks with the midfielder for several weeks, but initially thought a deal was impossible. After successfully completing a medical check, the left-footer will sign a two-year contract, it is said. According to “L’Équipe”, Rabiot is also accepting considerable financial losses as a result of his return to France.
“It happened a bit out of nowhere,” Rabiot explained after his arrival at the airport and admitted: “At first it was unlikely. Then I talked a lot with Medhi Benatia (Advisor to OM President Pablo Longoria, editor’s note.), who presented the project to me.” There have also been extensive discussions with the coach Roberto De Zerbi in recent days. Ultimately, the entire environment provides him with “everything I need: the atmosphere, the passion, the stadium, a city that lives for football.” When asked about his long-term goal with the club, Rabiot replied: “To win and bring back the Champions League trophy.” Olympique won the latter for the first and last time in 1993, when the German world champion Rudi Völler was in its ranks.
