Lack of big buyer leaves McCourt’s Marseille sale in limbo
With rumours of Olympique de Marseille changing hands still swirling, the absence of any serious bid is cooling the club’s most ardent supporters, as American owner Frank McCourt faces a gap between his hoped‑for €600‑700 million price tag and the reality of no concrete offers.
Sale saga shows no sign of ending
The sale saga is far from over, and for several years rumours of a possible takeover of the Phocaean club have repeatedly resurfaced. Saudi Arabia has been mentioned time and again, yet no transaction has materialised. This summer 2026 the question returned with even greater insistence, underscoring the persistence of speculation.
On the Football Club de Marseille set, journalist Nicolas Filhol summed the situation up bluntly: “If there was a big buyer, McCourt would sell but there isn’t.” His comment highlighted that the problem lies not only in the owner’s willingness but also in the lack of a purchaser prepared to meet the required sum.
Financial expectations and realities
Filhol estimates that McCourt hopes to recover between €600 million and €700 million from a sale, saying the owner “imagines a cheque of 600‑700 million euros but nobody will put that much money on a decaying club.” Those figures are the journalist’s own assessment and have not been confirmed by McCourt.
The broader economic context of French football and Olympique de Marseille’s own financial difficulties further complicate negotiations. According to L’Équipe, the American owner injected roughly €120 million into the club in 2026 to cover losses, a stark reminder of the fiscal pressures at play.
Filhol argues that the club now needs to regain humility and rebuild gradually, stating “the path is to become humble again.” He notes that while supporters would be thrilled by a wealthy investor capable of laying several hundred million euros on the table, he doubts such a scenario will materialise.
“Everyone would say it’s good if a US friend of McCourt arrives and puts €800 million on the table and invests massively with crazy recruits,” Filhol added, “but I’m not sure that will happen.” The journalist’s scepticism serves as a reminder that Olympique de Marseille cannot base its future solely on the hope of a providential buyer.
McCourt’s official stance is more nuanced: he has said he is open to a strategic partner who can strengthen the club’s resources without necessarily relinquishing immediate control. Such a partnership could provide fresh financial input while preserving continuity in governance, yet it may fall short of the complete ownership change many supporters demand.