Mercato OM: Marcelino wants his former Bilbao darling
A promising 22-year-old Basque defensive midfielder, Unai Vencedor could leave Athletic Bilbao this summer to join Marcelino at OM.
In the next few hours, OM will make official their first recruit of the summer mercato in the person of <a href=/news/mercato-om-kondogbia-has-arrived-in-marseille>Geoffrey Kondogbia, whom Marcelino knows well having coached him at Valencia a few years ago. According to the Spanish press, the new OM coach is also interested in signing Unai Vencedor, whom he coached at Athletic Bilbao from January 2021 to June 2022.
Marcelino wants Unai Vencedor at OM
The 22-year-old defensive midfielder exploded onto the scene under Marcelino, making no fewer than 35 appearances in the 2021-2022 season. But following Marcelino's departure and the arrival of Ernesto Valverde, the Spanish U-21 international was relegated to the bench, making just 11 appearances last season. Three weeks ago, the daily AS reported that Bilbao wanted to loan out the player, whose contract runs until 2027.
🔴⚪ Posible salida en el Athletic Club | Informa @evelascojr:
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) June 30, 2023
🗣 "El club está buscándole salida a Unai Vencedor".
🗣 "Suena con fuerza el Olympique de Marsella de Marcelino, en forma de cesión". pic.twitter.com/70SgQcoUDL
This Friday, El Chiringuito confirms that the Basque club are looking for a way out for their midfielder, and reveals that Marcelino's OM are interested in him with a view to a loan deal. It remains to be seen whether this is a priority for Pablo Longoria, given that OM already have Jordan Veretout, Valentin Rongier, Mattéo Guendouzi and soon Geoffrey Kondogbia in midfield. But if Guendouzi is sold, it would not be surprising for OM to recruit an additional player in midfield.