Saber Khalifa Set to Leave Marseille Amid Lack of Future Plans
Tunisian international Saber Khalifa is expected to depart Olympique de Marseille this summer, with reports indicating he is not in the plans of new head coach Marcelo Bielsa ahead of the upcoming season.
Although Khalifa was due to resume training this Tuesday, sources suggest the striker’s time on the Vieux Port quayside will be brief. According to Shems FM radio, the 27-year-old forward is close to securing a move to the Gulf region, where several clubs have expressed strong interest.
Khalifa’s representatives are currently in the Middle East exploring potential transfer options. Two clubs have emerged as frontrunners: one from the United Arab Emirates and the Qatari side Al Kharitiyath, coached by Frenchman Bertrand Marchand. Both are keen to reach an agreement directly with the player before entering talks with Marseille.
Olympique de Marseille have reportedly made their stance clear to Khalifa — he is no longer a key part of the club’s plans and is encouraged to seek opportunities elsewhere. This represents a significant setback for the Tunisian international, who joined the French club last summer with high expectations.
Khalifa’s debut season at Marseille failed to live up to hopes. Despite several starts, the striker managed just a single goal and endured a series of disappointing performances. His struggles have diminished his appeal to the “big clubs” he once dreamed of joining.
Earlier this year, Khalifa notably rejected an offer from Qatari club Al Jaish, choosing instead to stay and fight for his place at Marseille. However, with the arrival of Bielsa and a clear shift in squad strategy, the Tunisian’s prospects at the club have dramatically changed.
Negotiations with Al Kharitiyath appear to be progressing well, signaling that Khalifa may finally accept a move to the Middle East — a region he had previously resisted. For the striker, this could provide a fresh start after a challenging season in Ligue 1.
As Marseille prepare to rebuild under Bielsa’s guidance, Khalifa’s exit seems inevitable. The coming weeks will reveal if the Tunisian forward secures a deal that offers him regular playing time and a chance to revive his career.
