Marseille bring in Arsenal gem and Timber’s brother

Three weeks of nothing—and then two signings in one day! After Quinten Timber, Marseille have officially confirmed the arrival of Ethan Nwaneri. One of Arsenal’s most talented youngsters has arrived at the Velodrome on a loan without an option to buy until the end of the season, costing 1.5 million euros, further deepening the relationship between the two clubs—a relationship that has been significantly strengthened in recent years and originally established during the 2021/22 season. Ahead of that season, Arsenal loaned Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba to Olympique Marseille. In January, following the termination of his contract with the London club, Sead Kolašinac also joined them, and the following June Nuno Tavares took the same route.

Each of them left a positive impression at the Velodrome—some more, some less—but the key point is that none of them made a mistake by moving to the ranks of the nine-time French champions. Saliba’s case is the most positive example, as the general impression is that his season in Marseille had a huge impact on shaping him into the player he is today. That year, Saliba was named Ligue 1’s Best Young Player and was also selected in the Team of the Season. The very next season, he formed a centre-back partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes that has since become the foundation of Arsenal’s defense. And it was precisely Saliba’s example that Nwaneri followed when he decided to come to Marseille. Not just Nwaneri, but everyone at Arsenal.

“William Saliba told me that Olympique Marseille is one of the best clubs in the world. Roberto De Zerbi is also one of the best coaches in the world,” the 18-year-old said on Wednesday upon arriving at the club’s facilities.

The transfer was also pushed by Mikel Arteta, who reportedly spoke personally with Roberto De Zerbi and received guarantees that Nwaneri would get the minutes he needs for his development. At Arsenal, he played last season mainly due to injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. This season, with the captain back fit and competition from Eberechi Eze, as well as Saka and Noni Madueke, he couldn’t break through. He accumulated 515 minutes across 12 matches in all competitions. In Marseille, he is expected to get more playing time.

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The other signing is permanent and also has connections with Arsenal (sort of). He angered the fans and entered into a verbal clash with the coach. After that, there was no way back, and Quinten Timber, Arsenal Jurrien’s brother left Feyenoord. He moved to Marseille for just 4.5 million euros, which—considering the price-to-quality ratio—represents one of the best deals in European football this January. From the Velodrome, they took advantage of Timber’s situation in Rotterdam and snapped up, for a bargain fee, an increasingly regular Netherlands international, who should anchor the midfield of the nine-time French champions in the coming years (contract signed until June 2030).

The reason Olympique managed to sign him for such a low fee is the fact that, come May, the brother of Arsenal right-back Jurrien Timber would have been a free agent. He had entered the final six months of his contract, and despite Feyenoord’s attempts over nearly a year to extend the deal, those plans failed. No one can say with certainty why, although the impression is that his departure from Rotterdam was accelerated by his relationship with coach Robin van Persie, which—to put it mildly—was far from ideal. Upon arriving at the club last June, the legendary striker took the captain’s armband from Timber and handed it to Sem Steijn. Relations further deteriorated at the turn of the calendar year, when Feyenoord fell into a crisis and Van Persie publicly criticized the 24-year-old midfielder, who was unwilling to remain silent.

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On top of that, a week earlier, during the match against Zwolle, Timber received a message from fans irritated by the uncertainty surrounding his future—specifically whether he would sign a new contract or not. In the stands, they unfurled a banner reading: “Timber: Clarity = Honesty. Sign or leave.” And Timber left. For the sake of the team atmosphere, Quinten left De Kuip mid-season, partly because he did not want to leave the club without a transfer fee, wanting to bring them at least some money. Whether Feyenoord could have gotten more is debatable, as Dutch outlet De Telegraaf reports that Lazio, Roma, Dortmund, and Wolfsburg were also interested. However, Timber rejected offers from three unnamed clubs in order to shake hands with Marseille. Or rather, with Roberto De Zerbi, into whose system, according to Timber’s former Feyenoord coach Arne Slot, he will fit perfectly.

In the end, as he says, before leaving for Marseille he also had a pleasant conversation with Van Persie.

“I spoke with him. It was a good conversation. We wish each other the best—him to me in my playing career, and me to him in his coaching career. I said goodbye to everyone at the club and can leave Feyenoord with a good feeling. I won three trophies and played in the Champions League,” Timber said, reflecting on his time at Feyenoord, which he joined in June of 2022 from Utrecht. Over three and a half years, he made 125 appearances in all competitions, winning the league title, the Dutch Cup, and the Dutch Super Cup.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 19

Friday

Auxerre - PSG 0-1 (0-0)

/Barcola 79/

Saturday

19.00: (1.83) Rennes (3.70) Lorient (4.80)

21.00: (3.50) Le Havre (3.75) Monaco (2.10)

23.05: (2.10) Olympique Marseille (3.60) Lens (3.60)

Sunday

17.00: (3.05) Nantes (3.50) Nice (2.45)

19.15: (2.85) Brest (3.00) Toulouse (2.75)

19.15: (4.75) Metz (3.80) Olympique Lyon (1.73)

19.15: (1.87) Paris (3.60) Angers (4.60)

22.45: (2.05) Lille (3.60) Strasbourg (3.90)

***odds are subject to change***