Mamadou Niang Hesitant Over Move to Arles-Avignon Amid Financial Disputes
Mamadou Niang, the former Olympique de Marseille striker, remains undecided over a potential move to Ligue 2 side Arles-Avignon, despite initial reports suggesting he was close to joining the southern French club.
The 34-year-old Senegalese forward has yet to commit, with financial terms reportedly proving a sticking point in ongoing negotiations. According to Niang’s agent, Karim Aklil, while the player is open to a new challenge, he is unwilling to accept a monthly salary of €10,000 — an offer Arles-Avignon is believed to have put forward.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Aklil told L’Equipe in an exclusive interview. “Discussions have taken place with club president Marcel Salerno to assess the feasibility of the deal, but Ligue 1 remains Mamadou’s priority. There are several clubs interested in him.”
Niang, who enjoyed significant success during his tenure at Marseille, where he became a prolific goal-scorer and fan favourite, is keen to maintain his standards at the twilight of his career. Aklil emphasized that despite his age, Niang remains physically fit and competitive.
“At 34, Mamadou hasn’t lost any of his goal-scoring abilities. He will be ready and motivated for a new challenge soon,” the agent added.
The forward’s hesitation underscores the financial challenges faced by lower-tier clubs like Arles-Avignon in securing experienced players with proven track records. With a salary expectation that reflects his past achievements and current fitness, Niang is weighing his options carefully.
Arles-Avignon, a club looking to strengthen its squad and push for promotion to Ligue 1, will have to wait longer before confirming whether Niang will don their colours this season.
This saga highlights the often delicate balance between player ambition and club budgets in French football’s lower divisions. As the transfer window progresses, Niang’s next move remains one of the more closely watched developments in the domestic game.
