Marseille – Former Olympique de Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi reportedly remains frustrated after the club’s attempt to sign Lucas Da Cunha during the winter transfer window fell through. The pursuit of the midfielder, initiated at De Zerbi’s request, highlights a difference in footballing philosophy between the Italian tactician and his successor, Habib Beye.
De Zerbi, who mutually parted ways with Marseille in February, had identified Da Cunha as a key piece in his tactical vision. The club, acting on De Zerbi’s recommendation, submitted a bid of approximately €20 million for the 24-year-vintage, currently playing for Côme. However, Cesc Fabregas, the manager of Côme, swiftly rejected the offer, effectively ending Marseille’s pursuit.
A Clash of Styles at Marseille
The failed transfer underscores a shift in approach at the Ligue 1 club. While De Zerbi favored a possession-based, intricate build-up play, Beye is known for advocating a more direct and intense style of football. This difference in philosophy was a key factor in De Zerbi’s desire to bring in a technically gifted midfielder like Da Cunha, a player he believed could elevate the quality of Marseille’s attacking play. The Italian coach envisioned a player capable of dictating tempo and providing a creative spark in the final third.
Da Cunha: A Target for Multiple Clubs
Prior to Marseille’s interest, and even after their offer was rebuffed, Da Cunha has attracted attention from other European clubs. According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur has also expressed interest in the French midfielder. This potential interest from Tottenham is notable, as it aligns with speculation linking De Zerbi himself to the Premier League club as a potential managerial appointment in the summer.
Fabregas’s firm stance against Da Cunha’s departure is rooted in the player’s importance to Côme’s system. Da Cunha is a key component of Fabregas’s tactical setup, deployed in a deeper midfield role where he influences the flow of play. His contract with Côme extends until 2029, further solidifying his position within the club.
The situation leaves De Zerbi, currently a free agent, potentially looking elsewhere for players he believes can fit his system. While the move to Marseille didn’t pan out as he’d hoped, the pursuit of Da Cunha demonstrates his clear vision for the type of football he wants to play.
De Zerbi’s departure from Marseille, announced on February 11th, was described as a mutual agreement reached after consultations with the club’s owner, president, sporting director, and the coach himself. The club acknowledged De Zerbi’s contribution, particularly in guiding them to a second-place finish in the 2024/25 season, and wished him well in his future endeavors.
The failed pursuit of Lucas Da Cunha serves as a reminder of the complexities of player transfers and the impact of managerial changes on a club’s transfer strategy. It also highlights the growing interest in Da Cunha as a promising talent in European football.
As De Zerbi explores potential opportunities, including a possible move to Tottenham, the situation with Da Cunha could resurface, potentially offering the Italian coach a chance to finally secure his desired midfield target.
L. Da Cunha
France • Age 24 • Midfielder Looking ahead, Tottenham’s potential interest in both De Zerbi and Da Cunha adds another layer of intrigue to this developing story. The coming months will reveal whether the former Marseille coach will get a second chance to reunite with the player he so strongly desired.
