Marseille have a huge wad of cash just burning a hole in their pocket following the takeover by American billionaire Frank McCourt and they have their eyes set on a pair of Crystal Palace players.
According to the London Evening Standard, goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and midfielder Yohan Cabaye are both wanted by the Ligue 1 club for a return to their homeland.
Mandanda only left Marseille in the summer to join Crystal Palace on a free transfer but, now financed by McCourt, Marseille want to bring the France international back to the club now they can afford his wages.
The 31-year-old met with Marseille’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta after his knee operation in December. Zubizarreta left the door open for Mandanda if he ever wanted to return to the club.
It’s understood that Mandanda is homesick and would welcome the opportunity to return to the club where he spent nine years at.
As for Cabaye, it’s alleged that he’s been considering his future at the club following the sacking of Alan Pardew, the man who signed him at Newcastle and then Crystal Palace.
Marseille manager Rudi Garcia was in charge of Lille during their remarkable title-run in 2010/11 and Cabaye was a key part of the team that helped secure their third Ligue 1 crown.
Garcia has made contact with Cabaye over a return to French football and it’s believed that the midfielder has responded positively to the idea of linking up with his former coach.
Sam Allardyce faces a tough task on his hands keeping the international pair at his club despite both seemingly keen on moving back to France.
