2023-12-20 10:08:13
Kai Wagner with Philadephia Union (YouTube screen capture)
Mercato OM – In search of an understudy to Renan Lodi, OM is exploring an interesting sporting but controversial path on the other side of the Atlantic.
In the absence of Renan Lodi, suspended, Gennaro Gattuso should trust Michael Murillo this Wednesday evening for OM’s trip to Montpellier (probable lineups). The Panamanian international is right-handed and is more comfortable in the right piston position, but can help out on the left, as he has already done several times this season (against Monaco and Le Havre in particular).
If OM therefore have this option to cover the absences of their Brazilian international, Medhi Benatia and Pablo Longoria are still looking for a real left back a few days before the opening of the 2024 winter transfer window. And since a few days, a name is associated with the Marseille club, that of Kai Wagnera 26-year-old German left-back who has been playing in MLS for five seasons under the colors of Philadelphia Union.
OM are interested in left back Kai Wagner
Kai Wagner is one of the best players in his position in MLS (he has been in the MLS Team of the Year several times) and has notably delivered 10 assists this season. With a superb left foot, he can take set pieces, which wouldn’t hurt in our current squad. Valued at 5 million euros on Transfermarkt, Kai Wagner will also be free in January, his current contract expiring on December 31, 2023.
According to Italian journalist Davide Masi, who works for the renowned Gianluca Di Marzio, Kai Wagner has already had a meeting with OM and will choose his next team after Christmas, he who has other interests in Europe and MLS. Note that this avenue had already been mentioned on December 2 by The Olympian Tribune and therefore seems quite serious.
Sources: Kai Wagner had a meeting with @OM_Officiel. The french club is interested as first called by @LaTribuneOM
Wagner has proposals from Europe and a couple from @MLS. Crucial week for him: he will decide his next team after Christmas #MLS @PhilaUnion #BAPTISM #To the point pic.twitter.com/x7XfFWb38f
— Davide Masi (@davide__masi) December 19, 2023
Kai Wagner suspended for racial insult
If everything seems perfect sportingly and contractually speaking, a shadow hangs over this track. Last November, Kai Wagner was in fact suspended three matches by the MLS for having uttered a racial insult against New England Revolution player Bobby Wood during a match played on October 28. Wagner faced a heavier suspension but the North American League said it considered several factors, including “Wagner’s immediate acceptance of responsibility, willingness to participate in a process of corrective practices to repair the damage caused, and cooperation with the League’s investigation.”
Our opinion on the Wagner rumor at OM
Kai Wagner has all the right transfer plans for OM on a sporting level. He is quite young, free and has real footballing qualities. If everyone has the right to a second chance in life, we can only strongly condemn his behavior and we are not very excited about the idea of a player convicted of racial insult joining our club. There are enough good players in the world to make another choice.
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#controversial #track #confirmed