Olympique de Marseille completed the arrival of Luis Henrique on Friday, the “nugget of pure talent”, according to André Villas-Boas.
The 18-year-old Brazilian striker has signed for 5 years, according to
RMC Sport.
The Marseille club will pay 12 million euros to Três Passos Atlético Clube, its training club, and to Botafogo, which holds 40% of the player's sporting rights and where he had been on loan for two years.
“He's a promising player.
He can occupy all the offensive positions, ”declared OM football director Pablo Longoria.
On loan to Botafogo, the Brazilian striker has made seven appearances (for an assist) in the Brazilian Championship since December 2019. Luis Henrique will participate in his first training with the Olympian group next week.
The American owner of OM Frank McCourt was delighted with this transfer: “Since I bought OM 4 years ago, I have been trying to develop a vision combining football development, economic development and societal impact at the service of Marseillais.
Today (Friday) is a very special moment for me with, at the same time, the recruitment of an important Brazilian talent to strengthen the team in the field and the launch of an unprecedented partnership in the world of music. to promote artistic talents from Marseille (OM Records).
This is exactly why I came to Marseille and that I will continue to devote my energy to the club and to the city with the superb team that surrounds me. ”
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Who is Luis Henrique, the new" nugget "of OM?
Around 16 million euros in purchases and 0 € in sales
This young left winger is the fifth recruit from Marseille and will have the mission to replace Dario Benedetto at the forefront of the attack.
OM have recruited for the moment Alvaro Gonzalez (Villarreal, final transfer of € 4 million), Argentinian central defender Leonardo Balerdi (Dortmund, loan), Japanese left-back Yuto Nagatomo (Galatasaray, free) and midfielder French Pape Gueye (Le Havre, free).
Luis Henrique should be the last arrival of this transfer window except in the event of a last minute departure.
"There will be no additional rookie except if there is a departure," said the Portuguese technician.
To see if "AVB" drops the track of French midfielder Maxime Cuisance of Bayern Munich.
The transfer market closes on October 5.
"We had a very good transfer window"
André Villas-Boas
In this particular context of the coronavirus pandemic, which leads to an economic crisis, while adding its budgetary restrictions (phase 2 of the Marseille project which consists in finding a financial balance) and financial fair play, the Olympian club had to make smart, intelligent and above all inexpensive purchases.
For this, Marseille was able to count on its strong man: André Villas-Boas.
“We had a very good transfer window.
We hardly spent anything and now we have found a player for the future.
We made good decisions, in collaboration with Pablo Longoria.
There are no discussions but during the last days of the transfer window there may be offers.
But we will be ready, in case of departure, to recruit quickly ”, underlined the Marseille coach.
The workforce has strengthened in all sectors: in central defense, finally a lining to Jordan Amavi at the left side position, in the middle and in attack.
Good moves made for a diet OM.
Despite the significant deficit and the need to sell, OM lost very few players and did not recover any money.
Only Grégory Sertic and Isaac Lihadji (Lille), at the end of the contract, left.
The Provencal club is still having difficulty selling.
Some elderly players with a large salary like Mitroglou or Strootmann are struggling to find buyers.
With the arrival of the Brazilian in attack, Valère Germain (tracked by Nantes) could, for his part, leave La Canebière.
And Pablo Longoria's leg has not yet been felt.
The new director of football for OM, since the end of July, intends to rely on Aldridge, whose mission is to sell players in England.
Even the good market values (Sanson, Kamara, Caleta-Car) did not find a seller at the expected price.
A mobilized group that does not want to miss the Champions League
Finally, the whole group seems mobilized to stay and play the Champions League.
OM should therefore be able to keep this same group at least until January.
The outcome of the group stage of the Champions League should determine what will happen next.
Marseille is back in the biggest European competition since 2013 and no player wants to miss it.
Indeed, Morgan Sanson, long announced on the departure, does not want to leave.
“I am focus here.
There is the Champions League, it's something that I want to discover and be successful in this competition.
We have the manpower to do something.
Why go away? ”Said the Frenchman Thursday at a press conference.
The 26-year-old midfielder was a time targeted by Premier League clubs including West Ham and Crystal Palace.
The midfielder from training center Maxime Lopez, courted in Spain, should also stay.
Just like Bouna Sarr, a moment coveted by Bayer Leverkusen.
In addition, OM are benefiting from the comeback of Florian Thauvin.
The 27-year-old striker, who is coming out of a white season due to an injury, has already scored twice and offered 2 assists in 4 Championship days.
The club's top scorer in 2017-18 and 2018-19 will be a very valuable asset this season.
The 2018 world champion, still under contract for one year at OM, is in the dark about his future.
“I don't have a contract proposal from OM.
Either I stay at OM, or I go abroad.
I will study both options, ”explained the French international to
L'Équipe
.
“There was just a first contact,” Thauvin added.
Marseille, in dire need of cash, would have a strong interest in extending it so as not to see him go free and above all keep one of its best players.
Avoid the sinking of the Champions League 2013-2014
During their last participation in the Champions League in 2013-2014, OM finished last in their group with Dortmund, Arsenal and Napoli without a point.
That year, Dimitri Payet (Lille), Florian Thauvin (Lille), Benjamin Mendy (Havre), Giannelli Imbula (Guingamp), Mario Lemina (Lorient) and Saber Khalifa (Évian) had landed in Marseille.
The Marseille club had spent nearly 40 million euros in this 2013 summer transfer window. With a little less than half spent, the 1993 European champion will try to do better.
While waiting for the draw for the C1 on October 1, OM will receive Metz this Saturday as part of the fifth day of Ligue 1.
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