Olympique de Marseille has decided to withdraw from the race to sign Nigerian winger Moses Simon, primarily due to his expected absence during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Simon’s Impressive Form at Nantes
Despite FC Nantes enduring a challenging season, Simon has remained one of the club’s standout performers.
His consistency and attacking prowess have made him an attractive prospect in the transfer market, with Marseille monitoring his progress for several years.
In addition to his on-field contributions, Simon’s pursuit of French nationality was seen as a potential advantage, as securing a French passport could facilitate a move within Ligue 1.
However, despite these factors, OM has opted to look elsewhere.
AFCON 2025 a Key Factor in OM’s Decision
The primary reason behind Marseille’s decision to drop their interest in Simon is his anticipated absence during the middle of the season for AFCON 2025.
The tournament, which will take place in Morocco, is scheduled to run from January to February, potentially sidelining Simon for up to two months.
Given the club’s ambitions in both domestic and European competitions, losing a key player for an extended period is viewed as a significant drawback.
With other squad members also likely to be called up for AFCON duty, Marseille has chosen to prioritize signings that will be available throughout the campaign.
Future Uncertain for Simon
With Marseille stepping back, Simon’s immediate future remains uncertain. While Nantes has not actively pushed for his departure, his strong performances and contract situation may still attract interest from other clubs in France and beyond.
For now, the Nigerian international remains a crucial figure at Nantes, but his potential move away from the club will likely depend on interest from teams willing to accommodate his AFCON commitments.
