OM can’t take it anymore and abruptly releases a player

Pablo Longoria and Mehdi Benatia are not the type to let circumstances dictate their plans at Olympique de Marseille. Some players will soon come to realize this during the winter Mercato.

While Chancel Mbemba has been in the spotlight recently—the Congolese international defender eager to return to the pitch—another teammate has also become a central topic of discussion at the Commanderie: Ruben Blanco. Now third in OM’s Goalkeeper hierarchy following the arrivals of Geronimo Rulli and Jeffrey De Lange, the Spanish keeper has had a nightmare summer. A serious ankle injury kept him sidelined for an extended period and also eliminated any chance of a transfer.

To make matters worse, Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear to Pablo Longoria that Ruben Blanco has no place in his plans. Despite being under contract with Olympique de Marseille until June 2026, Blanco finds himself in a difficult position. However, Marseille‘s leadership is determined to resolve this situation during the current winter Mercato.

Unlike Chancel Mbemba, whose contract expires next summer and whom OM is determined not to lose for free in January, Pablo Longoria and Mehdi Benatia have decided to allow Ruben Blanco to leave if a club wishes to sign him in the coming weeks. According to La Provence, which confirms this strategic decision, Olympique de Marseille will not request the €1.5 million it might have hoped for from the goalkeeper’s transfer.

“Knowing that Europe won’t be scrambling to sign their former protected, whose attitude remains exemplary despite his fall down the pecking order, Olympique de Marseille intends to make his departure as smooth as possible—even if it means forfeiting a transfer fee,” noted Tristand Rapaud.

Initially in Pau Lopez’s shadow and now behind Geronimo Rulli and Jeffrey De Lange, Ruben Blanco’s departure is unlikely to elicit tears from OM supporters when he packs up his locker and bids farewell to the city of Marseille.