Free Agents: OM’s Smart Recruitment
Marseille has built a reputation for signing quality players out of contract, striking a balance between ambition and smart recruitment. As the 2024-25 season wrapped up, the club’s sporting director, Mehdi Benatia, talked about their summer plans. “We’ve looked at all the top players who were free agents,” he said.
Angel Gomes: Another smart “Marseillaise” signing
Having qualified for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, Marseille recently boosted their squad with two free transfers: CJ Egan-Riley and Angel Gomes. Gomes arrives after four seasons at Lille, where he played over 100 Ligue 1 McDonald’s games and featured in multiple European competitions, including two Champions League campaigns.
Since the 2016-17 season, Marseille has signed 15 players on free transfers, many of whom turned out to be excellent additions, helping the club compete at a high level.
One of the most notable recent signings, similar to Gomes, was midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
Adrien Rabiot: A major coup
Rabiot was Marseille’s final signing last summer. Pablo Longoria called it “a huge opportunity.” Thanks to his free-agent status, Rabiot even joined after the transfer window closed in mid-September.
At 29, the French international’s arrival was a big win for Marseille. Longoria admitted the signing wasn’t planned before the deadline. “At first, it seemed unlikely,” Rabiot said. “But after talking with Mehdi, he showed me the project and I was sold.”
Rabiot came to Marseille to revive his career—and he succeeded, becoming a key player in their push to the Champions League with a second-place finish in Ligue 1 McDonald’s. “I have no regrets signing here,” he said, and Marseille feels the same.
Alexis Sanchez: A star signing as a big striker
After a strong 2021-22 season, finishing second in the league, Marseille wanted to add a top forward. Alexis Sanchez joined at 33 after ending his contract with Inter Milan. Despite a so-so previous season, his arrival was met with tremendous excitement from the fans.
Playing under coach Igor Tudor, the Chilean star wearing number 70 found his form again, scoring 14 goals in Ligue 1 McDonald’s and comfortably finishing as Marseille’s top scorer.
Marseille keeps its edge with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
After Sanchez left following one season, Marseille needed a new goal scorer. In the summer of 2023, they signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, returning to Ligue 1 McDonald’s at age 34, ten years after leaving Saint-Étienne.
Like Sanchez, Aubameyang joined on a free transfer from another big European club—Chelsea. Though not at his career peak, he quickly regained form in Marseille, scoring 17 league goals and 30 in all competitions.
Mario Balotelli: The first big-name free transfer
Before Sanchez and Aubameyang, Marseille made a splash in the free-agent market in the winter of 2019 by signing Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker, coming off his time at Nice, signed for six months and made a substantial impact with eight goals in 15 games. His arrival marked the beginning of a trend in Marseille to pursue high-profile free agents.
Other notable free-agent signings for Marseille:
Summer 2002: Chancel Mbemba
Summer 2021: Sead Kolasinac and Cédric Bakambu
Summer 2020: Pape Gueye and Yuto Nagatomo
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