It was the priority of Jorge Sampaoli, and it will therefore be the first recruit chosen by the Argentine coach since his arrival on the bench of OM in March.
After several weeks of tight negotiations, an agreement has been reached with club Flamengo for the transfer of midfielder Gerson.
If the official confirmation will only come in July, when the 24-year-old Brazilian comes to Marseille for his medical examination, the five-year contract would have been signed this Friday in Serbia where the player is to face Cape Verde, in a friendly match. of the Hopes of the Brazilian selection.
If amounts greater than 25 million euros were mentioned at the start of negotiations, the transfer ultimately amounts to 20 million euros plus bonus.
Flamengo will benefit from a resale percentage of around 20%.
The Guendouzi slope remains relevant
Gerson has already had a rather mixed experience in Europe, between 2016 and 2019 at AS Roma and Fiorentina.
But since his return to Brazil, he has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League.
He won eight titles with Flamengo, including two championships and the Copa Libertadores.
His entourage and in particular his father and agent, Marcao, had explained that the presence of Sampaoli on the bench of OM had been decisive.
The question remains to know when Gerson will arrive at OM. Flamengo hopes to be able to use it until July 10 so he can play the next eight games. His presence at the Tokyo Olympics with Brazil remains unresolved. It is the president of OM, Pablo Longoria, who should decide but he would not be in favor. After Gerson, the track of the ex-midfielder of Lorient Mattéo Guendouzi (22), back to Arsenal after his loan to Hertha Berlin, remains relevant for OM.