Highlights: OM formalized the arrival of Ismaïla Sarr on the night of Monday to Tuesday, July 25. In Marseille, the Senegalese will benefit from both space and a framework to grow. The striker has committed to the Marseille club for a period that has not yet been revealed, in exchange for about 13 million euros. After the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a top striker, this new reinforcement is more than welcome in an area that still lacked thickness.

Football: Ismaïla Sarr at OM, the opportunity to become great in Ligue 1

OM formalized the arrival of Ismaïla Sarr on the night of Monday to Tuesday, July 25. In Marseille, the Senegalese will benefit from both space and a framework to grow. Four years after his departure from Rennes, at the age of 25, he has the opportunity to become a crack of the championship of France.

Senegalese Ismaïla Sarr, scorer against Equatorial Guinea, in the quarterfinals of CAN 2022. © FMM/Pierre René-Worms

Text by: Yohann Le Coz

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After four seasons at Watford, Ismaïla Sarr is back in Ligue 1. Olympique de Marseille formalized its arrival late in the evening, Monday, July 24. The striker has committed to the Marseille club for a period that has not yet been revealed, in exchange for about 13 million euros. After the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a top striker, this new reinforcement is more than welcome in an area that still lacked thickness.

Follet fire in sight on Massalia! 🔥
Ismaila Sarr 🇸🇳 joins Olympique de Marseille from Watford#OdysséeMassalia 🏛️🔵 ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/AeiKOMvUcL

— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) July 24, 2023

Marcelino, the new coach from Athletic Bilbao, is fond of twirling elements on the wings, in a classic 4-4-2. "We will have to make some changes in the squad, said the Brazilian technician in a press conference. We have been discussing this for a while. When you look at what was there last year, the structure was different. We want players from the side to attack the spaces." With Sarr, he should be served. Dribbling, speed and percussion feature prominently in his register and have made him bankable in England.

The opportunity to grow in France

The Senegalese knows Ligue 1 well, and the assiduous followers of the France championship know him well too. The African champion was very attractive in Metz during the 2016/2017 season, then exploded in Rennes before attracting the attention, in 2019, of the leaders of Watford who made him cross the Channel for about 30 million euros. Back in conquered territory, he will first have the confidence of the coach since Marcelino seems to have chosen his coming. As well as free elbows to evolve serenely, since he will suffer moderately from competition in his role on the wings.

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Enough to start strong and exceed the glass ceiling he hit across the Channel. In a team like Watford, with whom he yo-yoed between the Premier League and the Championship, Sarr never really showed his talent. And has never scored more than five goals in a season in the English elite. At OM, much more dominant in France than the Hornets are in England, it should be a different story. In a squad that will have more ball, in front of a public that gives passion and madness as much as it demands, at 25 years old, the Senegalese will have the opportunity to take a new dimension.

Football: Ismaïla Sarr at OM, the opportunity to become great in Ligue 1

Football: Ismaïla Sarr at OM, the opportunity to become great in Ligue 1

The opportunity to grow in France

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