“An event of extreme gravity and violence, something completely unspeakable.”
This is how Pablo Longoria, president of Olympique de Marseille, chose to describe the altercation (or rather the brawl, let’s call a spade a spade) that broke out between Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe following their team’s defeat at Stade Rennais (0-1) to open the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign. A real shock for a dressing room that, just a few days ago, seemed untouchable.
It must be said that few could have predicted such a turbulent start to the season. Nothing, whether in the club’s communications or in the enthusiasm of its supporters, had given any indication of this. In fact, it had been a long time since OM had enjoyed such a peaceful off-season. While qualifying for the Champions League played a major role, Roberto De Zerbi’s continuation as head coach, the ambitious transfer window and a positive summer preparation period all contributed to this sense of comfort.
But at OM, the bright blue of a sunny sky can quickly give way to the dark grey of threatening clouds. And it usually doesn’t take much for a storm to break out that feels like the end of the world.
This time, all it took was a goal from Ludovic Blas in extra time of a match that saw Marseille playing with a numerical advantage from the half-hour mark to set the powder keg alight.
Everything then happened very quickly.
First there were rumours. Then confirmations. From the press, initially, announcing the temporary suspension of the two first-team players; then from the club, officially placing them on the transfer market. A decision taken ‘in agreement with the technical staff’, in response to ‘unacceptable behaviour’, as the club stated in a press release.
“When you want to stand strong as an institution and you want to be a strong club, you have to know how to make decisions that may weaken you in sporting terms, certainly, but strengthen you as a group, as a team and as an institution,” explained Medhi Benatia, the club’s director of football, afterwards. A clear, understandable explanation aimed at clarifying a situation that had quickly spiralled out of control.
As is often the case with Olympique de Marseille.
However, with just a few days to go before the transfer window closes, there is no doubt that the team’s management would have preferred to avoid having to deal with this type of situation. In addition to continuing to work to fill the gaps in its squad, it will now have to deal with new issues.
Namely, how to replace a player of Rabiot’s calibre so quickly and without breaking the bank, and how to sell two players deemed undesirable while finding itself in a delicate position. Because yes, by indicating that they are keen to offload both players, OM has put itself in a position of weakness in the eyes of potential buyers.
And although Rabiot and Rowe have an attractive valuation on the transfer market, the club may well have to lower their demands given the time constraints imposed by the calendar. The advantage for OM, however, lies in the fact that there is no shortage of suitors. Neither for one nor the other. Especially since their situations are different.
While Rabiot’s departure was not on the agenda, that of his English teammate was already a foregone conclusion. Or at least at an advanced stage. The situation has accelerated in recent hours, with the 22-year-old player expected to join Bologna soon to discover Serie A. Meanwhile, Rabiot’s situation could take longer to resolve.
The French midfielder is reportedly being targeted by several Italian giants (AC Milan, Juventus, Inter), Galatasaray and Saudi Arabia, but any future buyer will have to satisfy both the club, which is expecting around €15 million, and the player, whose salary is estimated at €6 million per season.
Nothing seems excessive, but in such a context, it’s certain that no one will be doing anyone any favours.
