How Marseille convinced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to return to Ligue 1
At the age of 36, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to Olympique de Marseille after a successful season in the Saudi Pro League with Al Qadsiah. This decision strengthens the already well -supplied attack line of Marseille, made possible by the work of Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia. This is one of the big stories in the…
At the age of 36, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to Olympique de Marseille after a successful season in the Saudi Pro League with Al Qadsiah. This decision strengthens the already well -supplied attack line of Marseille, made possible by the work of Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia.
This is one of the big stories in the Ligue 1 transfer window. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Will return to the Vélodrome Orange in a few weeks‘ time against Paris FC the day of the Ligue 1 door, to the pleasure of fans of Marseille.
Even if last season of the International of Gabon was complicated in terms of sports results of the team, its individual contribution is inevitably left Marseille With good memories.
He scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists to all competitions, helping OM reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. These figures had not been affected since Didier Drogba during the 2003/04 season (32 goals).
However, Marseille was forced to reduce their team and Aubameyang was one of the players who had to skip the ship because his salary (7.2 million euros per year) was deemed too high.
The option of Saudi Arabia then occurred, and the player joined Al Qadsiah for 6.5 million euros. In the Saudi Pro League, the Gabonese player maintained his standards last season, compiling 17 goals in the Saudi league.
Despite his age of 36, the former arsenal star proves that he is still competitive and could therefore be a precious addition to the OM team.
Good relationship between Longoria and Aubameyang Crucial
A year later, Aubameyang returned as free agent after putting an end to his contract with Al Qadsiah, with a year remaining on his contract. Naturally, he will earn much less than what he did in Saudi Arabia (20 million euros per year), but more importantly, his salary in OM will be lower than his first fate at the club.
A considerable effort on the part of the player made possible thanks to his very close relationship with Pablo Longoria. Despite his departure from OM, the two men have always maintained an excellent friendly relationship, the Spaniard having always appreciated the personality and the professionalism of the player. The circumstances forced them to separate in 2024, but the relationship remained intact.
The two men have been in contact since, and during an exchange between them in June, according to our information, Aubameyang explained to Longoria that he wanted to leave Al Qadsiah this summer.
The Spaniard then asked him if he wanted to return to Marseille, to which the Gabonese replied “yes” without any hesitation. Marseille therefore became the player’s priority if he left Saudi Arabia, and it was at this moment that Medhi Benatia entered the loop.
The international of Gabon had to negotiate the termination of his contract with the Saudi club, which he managed to obtain on July 17, a month after this famous discussion with Pablo Longoria.
Two weeks later, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang landed at Marseille Provence airport, welcomed by OM fans thanks to the hard work of the club’s director of football.
Known for his day and night work, Benatia led negotiations with the entourage of the attacker until a total agreement was concluded under his salary (around 4.2 million euros per year). Another good lesson in club management of Morocco.