Marseille weigh major Algeria recruitment drive as Amine Gouiri sale becomes possible

Olympique de Marseille could make a significant push for Algerian talent before the transfer window closes, with three internationals under consideration while Amine Gouiri may be sold to help fund the club’s remaining business.

Marseille are still looking to strengthen several areas of the squad and have identified Rafik Belghali, Hicham Boudaoui and Ilan Kebbal as potential targets. However, the club may need to part with one of its most highly valued Algeria internationals before completing further deals.

The latest name to emerge is Belghali, the right-sided player whose performances at the 2026 World Cup attracted attention. The Hellas Verona player is not expected to follow his club into Serie B, and Foot Mercato reports that Marseille have gone beyond simply monitoring his situation.

Verona are believed to be seeking about 10m euros for Belghali and already have a verbal agreement with Sassuolo. The player, though, is not in a hurry to make a decision. Three Premier League clubs are also understood to be assessing his profile, while Newcastle had previously included him on their shortlist.

Marseille are searching for a player to operate on the right flank and could therefore attempt to disrupt the developing deal. Belghali’s arrival would add another Algeria international to the increasingly complicated relationship between the national team’s players and the French club.

Boudaoui is another midfielder on Marseille’s radar. Foot Mercato says the Nice player is among the club’s priorities as it seeks to strengthen its midfield. No formal offer has been made, but his qualities are admired by the Marseille hierarchy.

The 26-year-old has spent seven seasons on the Cote d’Azur, making 207 official appearances and scoring 14 goals. The former Paradou player could now be open to a fresh challenge.

Boudaoui is contracted to Nice until 2027 and is valued at approximately 12m euros. He has previously attracted interest from Villarreal, Galatasaray and Brighton.

Any move for the trio will depend partly on Marseille’s ability to generate funds through player sales. According to La Provence, Gouiri could be allowed to leave if a bid of around 25m euros arrives, despite Bruno Genesio’s wish to keep him.

Gouiri enjoyed a productive campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in 28 matches in all competitions. Several clubs are reported to have followed his situation, including Atletico de Madrid, Villarreal, Sevilla, Como, Lazio, Juventus and Everton.

Villarreal are particularly interested in Gouiri as a possible replacement should Georges Mikautadze depart. That creates an unusual possibility for Marseille: the club could sell one Algeria international in order to recruit one or more others.

Marseille’s interest in Kebbal also remains, although that deal appears considerably more difficult to complete. The attacking midfielder scored nine goals and supplied five assists for Paris FC last season and has become one of the most sought-after players in his position.

Olympiakos, Hull City and Al-Fateh are among the clubs said to be interested in Kebbal. Marseille like his style of play, while sporting director Gregory Lorenzi is familiar with the player.

Paris FC do not want to sell him and would reportedly demand between 15m and 20m euros simply to consider his departure. Kebbal was also involved in the disappointment of missing out on playing at the World Cup.

With only a few days remaining before the transfer window closes, Marseille could therefore become one of the main protagonists in the market for Algeria internationals.