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As reported by L’Équipe, Marseille’s negotiations to sign Angers teenage striker Mohamed-Ali Cho this summer are far from over, despite reports that a €12m fee had been agreed between the clubs yesterday.
The 18-year-old Cho, says the sports daily, fits Marseille’s new transfer policy to sign developing players with large resale values, while his profile as a versatile and pacey forward that can stretch defences pleases OM coach Jorge Sampaoli. Sampaoli has often used both Bamba Dieng and Cédric Bakambu in that role this season.
However, Marseille are not interested in getting into a bidding war over the player given that, even if they qualify for the Champions League, their transfer funds are not expected to be too plentiful this summer. Angers, meanwhile, are keen to sell Cho with just one year left on his deal and the club suffering through precarious finances. An unnamed Spanish club has also expressed an interest in the player, with a meeting set to take place next week.
Cho’s entourage are carefully monitoring the situation and will not be rushed into a decision but the aim is to join a club who will be playing European football next season. However, another season with Angers to guarantee game time has not yet been ruled out. Cho, who also qualifies to play for England and has been capped by English youth teams, is currently focusing on his A-Levels and has not yet intimated his preferred choice of club.
