Algerian international Himad Abdelli has reached an agreement to join Olympique Marseille from Angers in the current winter transfer window, with only some financial conditions at the club left to be settled before the deal is finalized.
According to French outlet RMC, Marseille and the 26‑year‑old midfielder have agreed a five‑year contract after he was convinced by the sporting project.
Abdelli was particularly influenced by talks with Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, whose vision played a key role in his decision. The player has informed other admirers, including French side Lyon and Spanish club Sevilla, that he prefers a move to Marseille and wants the transfer completed this January.
However, Marseille’s board must first offload some players to balance the books, in line with president Pablo Longoria’s policy of reducing financial burdens while keeping the team competitive. Abdelli is currently with Algeria at AFCON 2025, having started the 3–0 win over Equatorial Guinea and played over 70 minutes in the 1–0 extra‑time victory against DR Congo.
His contract with Angers expires at the end of June, after 119 appearances, 20 goals and 6 assists for the Ligue 1 side, plus 13 league outings so far this season.
