Marseilles (AFP)
The French midfielder of Bayern Munich Michaël Cuisance is "a great reinforcement" for Olympique de Marseille, according to his coach André Villas-Boas, who judged the transfer window of OM as "very good" on Wednesday during the presentation of the latest recruit.
He "has already put his foot into training, he has demonstrated extreme strength and determination, and exceptional technical qualities", said the Portuguese technician, "very happy" with the arrival of Cuisance, 21, on loan with Purchase option.
Trained in Nancy, passed pro at Borussia Mönchengladbach, the under-20 international is "one of the greatest hopes of French football", according to OM football director Pablo Longoria.
The Spanish leader did not detail the price of the call option.
“Between 10 and 18 million euros,” he just said.
Cuisance said he was very happy to join "a big club", known for "the fervor of the supporters", which he will not be able to take advantage of immediately because of the Covid-19.
The player with the powerful ball strike from the left has "no preference" in midfield and feels "comfortable everywhere, at all three positions," he added.
He also said he was "fit and ready to play".
There had been a rumor of a physical problem which had prevented his transfer to Leeds.
"No problem with the medical visit, he is 100% available", intervened Longoria.
Cuisance is the fifth recruit of the summer at OM, after defenders Leonardo Balerdi (ARG / Dortmund / GER) and Yuto Nagatomo (JPN / Galatasaray / TUR), midfielder Pape Gueye (Le Havre / L2) and striker Luis Henrique (BRA / Botafogo / BRA).
"It's a very good transfer window," commented AVB.
Marseille, who missed the Danish Genk Joakim Maehle in the last hours because of an outbidding of the Belgian club, according to OM, does not close the door to a joker for the right-back position, after the departure from Bouna Sarr to Bayern.
The club are "open to a wildcard" as well as a rookie "in January," Longoria added.
"We do evaluations. All the players who come are first choices, and in the economic parameters of the club," said the Spaniard.
"We should not rush. We can also perhaps take nothing, assume the risk and go until January like that", added "AVB".
The Portuguese coach recalled that Nagatomo could also play on the right.
As for recruiting an N.9 to double the position of the Argentinian Benedetto, Villas-Boas explained that he kept "confidence in Dario", especially victim "of the game of the team, which is not good in this regard. moment ", and that he also counted on Marley Aké and Valère Germain in this role.
© 2020 AFP