Transfer Zone

Fernando Morientes Nearing Marseille Move – President Jean-Claude Dassier

The newly-installed boss of OM is set to complete another signing as Didier Deschamps’ side continues to come together nicely.

Jul 24, 2009 12:23:33 PM

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Morientes, Maritimo-Valencia (Marca)

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Marseille

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Fernando Morientes

Olympique de Marseille’s highly satisfactory summer transfer campaign is poised to get even better just a couple of weeks before the start of the Ligue 1 season, as president Jean-Claude Dassier has confirmed that the club are closing in on an agreement with veteran Spanish striker Fernando Morientes, who is currently a free agent.

The 33-year-old forward has been linked with both Fiorentina and Olympique Lyonnais this summer, but it seems that he is set to complete a move back to the Mediterranean coast of France, where he featured prominently for Monaco during season 2003-04, leading them to a surprise berth in the Champions League final, where they were ultimately overcome by Jose Mourinho’s Porto. Of course, Monaco were then led by current Marseille head coach Didier Deschamps.

“For once, this is a rumour based on truth,” Dassier told radio station RMC. “Fernando Morientes is very interested in OM and Didier Deschamps. The transfer could be completed in the coming hours, and I hope so. He is free from Valencia. I can’t tell you more, but I think we should do it.”

Marseille have invested heavily in their defensive sector this summer, but Deschamps is understood to be keen on finding a back-up striker for Brandao, a burly Brazilian. To that end, Morientes, a strong forward at a variety of clubs – most notably Real Madrid – will probably be installed as an auxiliary forward at the Stade Velodrome.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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