DIRECT. Mercato: OM flirts with sporting director Grégory Lorenzi

While Stade Brestois has just formalized the departure of Grégory Lorenzi from his position as sports director, the question of his future arises and one avenue emerges very strongly as mentioned for several weeks: that of OGC Nice. Lorenzi is the priority of the Nice club for the position and succession to Florian Maurice. There is talk of a verbal agreement but the two discreet parties on the subject do not confirm the information. The Aiglons’ retention in Ligue 1, which is not yet assured, is obviously something to take into account and encourages patience. That of a sale of the club still in the works as well. Nice’s season will also stretch with the Coupe de France final on May 22. Nothing should be announced before this deadline. The Riviera club must also settle the exit of Florian Maurice who is still under contract. For Lorenzi, whose profile as a miracle worker in Brest is appreciated and sought after in Ligue 1 but also abroad. Nice would be an additional step to his measure. A destination which would also bring him closer to his native Corsica, an asset which had already seduced Florent Ghisolfi when he came from Lens.

Xavier Grimault and Maxime Tilliette

It was expected, it’s now official. Arriving in 2016, sports director Grégory Lorenzi will leave Stade Brestois at the end of the season. “Under his sporting leadership, the club returned to Ligue 1 in 2019, achieved historic qualification for the Champions League and ensured its presence for an 8th consecutive season in the elite of French football, “a record””, indicates the Finistère club in a press release. Highly coveted, Grégory Lorenzi is expected to join the OGC Nice organization chart next season.

The German Edin Terzic will be the coach of Athletic Bilbao from next season, the Basque Liga club announced on Tuesday, with which he has signed until 2028. The 43-year-old technician will replace at the end of the season the Spaniard Ernesto Valverde, in post since 2022 and winner of the Spanish Cup in 2024 with Athletic Bilbao.

Approached by AS Monaco before the arrival of Sébastien Pocognoli last October, Terzic had been free from any contract since his departure from Borussia Dortmund in June 2024, after leading the German club to the final of the Champions League (2-0 defeat against Real Madrid).

Previously, he had held assistant positions with Slaven Bilic (Besiktas, West Ham) and Lucien Favre in Dortmund, before taking over on an interim basis after the Swiss’ dismissal in December 2020 and winning the German Cup in his first season.

Terzic will be the second German to coach the Basque club after Jupp Heynckes (1992-1994 and 2001-2003). Eighth in La Liga four days before the end of the championship, Athletic Bilbao is still in the running to qualify for the Europa League or the Conference League.

What if a new Frenchman joined the Blaugrana ranks? Sensation in the Premier League this season, international hopeful Eli Kroupi JR, who is enjoying his days at Bournemouth, has, according to the Daily Mail, become a priority target for FC Barcelona for the next summer transfer window.

A true sensation in the Premier League, Eli Kroupi JR, scorer of 12 goals in 30 games this season with the Cherries, is having a difficult season across the Channel. Trained in Lorient, the young 19-year-old Frenchman, who can play as a winger, attacking midfielder or even at the forefront of an attack, attracts the biggest European names, ready to do anything to offer his services. Still according to the English tabloid, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are closely following the development of the young talent.

Strasbourg’s opponent in the Conference League announces the extension of its French central defender Florian Lejeune. The 34-year-old is linked to the Spanish club until 2028.

Villarreal formalized the departure of Marcelino at the end of the season. The Spanish technician has just qualified the Yellow Submarine in the Champions League for the second consecutive year.

>> The former coach of OM, Marcelino, will leave Villarreal…. despite a historic season

After announcing his departure from Troyes, Antoine Sibierski, 51, will probably continue his career in Belgium. He would have reached an agreement with Anderlecht, several Belgian media announced.

What future for Nicolas Otamendi? The 38-year-old central defender is at the end of his contract at Benfica. If the Portuguese club wishes to keep him, the Argentinian has still not extended his contract. A departure for Saudi Arabia and a return to Argentina are two possible options. Unless the 2022 world champion is ultimately tempted to stay in Portugal for one more season. This is the wish of his teammate and Argentinian compatriot Gianluca Prestianni: “One last year captain”, wrote the Benfica player, a post punctuated by pen and prayer emojis, signs that he wants his partner to extend with the Lisbon club.

On loan from Real Madrid without an option to buy from Lyon until the end of the season, Endrick (19) entrusts his choice about his future to God, while ensuring that he is “very happy” in the Rhône.

>> “I’m very happy here”, Endrick leaves the door open to a new season with OL

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