Chancel Mbemba remains without a club nearly a month after the expiration of his contract with Olympique de Marseille, with financial demands reportedly proving to be the stumbling block in ongoing negotiations.
The 30-year-old Congolese international became a free agent on 1 July following a turbulent end to his spell in Ligue 1.
While interest in the experienced central defender is said to be strong, his insistence on a high salary and significant signing bonus has so far prevented any deal from materialising.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Mbemba is demanding wages exceeding the €320,000 per month he was earning at Marseille—figures that have forced several suitors to reconsider their approach.
In addition to this, he is also believed to be seeking a sizeable signing bonus, further complicating negotiations with potential employers.
Interest from clubs in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, initially appeared promising. However, those conversations have reportedly collapsed due to the financial terms being deemed excessive.
Meanwhile, in France, newly promoted Paris FC made a formal enquiry but also failed to reach an agreement.
Despite being sidelined at Marseille for the entirety of the 2024–25 season, Mbemba remains confident in his value on the European market.
He has yet to feature in club football this year but has recently returned to competitive action with the DR Congo national team, where he continues to play a leadership role.
Those close to the former Newcastle United and FC Porto defender say he is maintaining full fitness and training regularly in anticipation of a return to top-level football.
His commitment, professionalism, and vast experience—especially in European competitions—are widely recognised, but his current market stance is proving difficult for clubs to accommodate.
Mbemba’s desire to remain in Europe has further narrowed his options. While clubs outside the continent may be more financially flexible, the player is said to prefer remaining in a major European league.
That preference, coupled with the economic demands, has created a stalemate in negotiations.
At 30, Mbemba is entering a critical phase of his career where stability and playing time are key. However, with the new season fast approaching and many clubs finalising their squads, the window of opportunity could soon begin to close.
For now, Mbemba remains a high-profile free agent with no concrete agreement in place.
Unless there is a significant adjustment in his financial expectations—or a club willing to meet them—it remains unclear when or where the Congolese defender will return to action at club level.
Nonetheless, his determination to find a deal on his terms continues to drive his search, even as options dwindle.
Mbemba’s future remains unresolved, but the defender shows no signs of backing down. As the transfer market edges toward its final stretch, the next few weeks may prove decisive in determining where he lands next.
