What happened?

Olympique de Marseille saw Olympiacos outpace its interest in centre‑back Zinedin Smajlovic. The 22‑year‑old, contracted to Sandefjord, signed in Athens on 8 July 2026 for a fee of €5 million, bonuses included. Despite a long list of suitors – Celtic, Rangers, Fenerbahçe, Hull City, Toulouse, Feyenoord, Lyon – the Greek club sealed the deal before Marseille could act.

Why does this matter for Marseille?

Smajlovic’s exit leaves a gap in Olympique de Marseille’s defensive reinforcement plans. The club still needed to decide on several priority cases, notably Leonardo Balerdi, Nayef Aguerd and Facundo Medina. Without the Swedish international, the coach must reassess options and may have to speed up negotiations on those three defenders.

What are the next defensive challenges?

Marseille now has to clarify the situations of Balerdi, Aguerd and Medina before pursuing new signings. Management has indicated no immediate decision will be made until those matters are resolved. Meanwhile, the coaching staff is exploring internal solutions, such as promoting academy prospects, to address the lack of depth.

How does Marseille respond to this setback?

The club has voiced no public regret, choosing instead to focus on remaining priorities. Norwegian journalists confirmed Marseille was tracking the case, but Olympiacos’s swift offer sealed Smajlovic’s fate. The summer transfer window continues, and supporters are watching closely for the next moves in the market.