Marseille want to extend Valentin Rongier’s contract | OneFootball

A new addition to the Olympique de Marseille midfield over the winter transfer window is not the end of the line for Valentin Rongier (30).

On Monday’s deadline day, OM added Ismaël Bennacer to their team on loan from AC Milan, which many suggested may be the beginning of the end for the team’s Mâcon-born midfielder. Instead, Olympique de Marseille want to open up discussions on a new contract for their experienced central midfielder very soon.

L’Équipe reports that the club’s sporting director, Medhi Benatia, would like to see the former Nantes player stay in Marseille a little longer.

“Valentin Rongier will be a subject soon. He’s a player that I love; in terms of the team’s balance, the coach just repeats how important he is; we’re going to start discussions quickly with him and his agents; it’s planned,” Benatia told L’Équipe.

Benatia adds that manager Robert De Zerbi is on the same page and wants to keep Rongier in the fold for a while. Since returning from a knee injury, the Frenchman has been a mainstay in the midfield for Les Olympiens, featuring in their last eight Ligue 1 affairs. He’s got two goals in the league this season, which is more than he’s had in any of his previous seasons for OM in the top flight.

Benatia added that Rongier’s attitude and behaviour are invaluable to the team, and that he believes the midfielder still has much to give to this club.

Rongier joined Marseille on September 3, 2019, on a five-year contract. His current deal is due to expire in June 2026.

GFFN | Joel Lefevre