Olympique de Marseille’s cost-cutting programme has suffered a setback after Geoffrey Kondogbia and Amine Harit declined to reduce their salaries, according to L’Equipe.
The Marseille hierarchy is continuing efforts to bring down spending following a transfer window in which the club saw several players leave. The next stage of that process has involved direct discussions with members of the squad about changing their financial arrangements and reducing the club’s immediate wage bill.
Kondogbia and Harit, however, have not agreed to lower their remuneration. The two internationals believe they have already made sufficient financial sacrifices in the past and do not consider another reduction to be justified.
Their decision is not expected to lead to any particular tension with Olympique de Marseille. The club is not currently planning to extend either player’s contract, meaning the futures of both men at Marseille already appear uncertain.
The situation is part of a wider attempt by the club to rebalance its finances after a summer marked by several departures. Marseille are examining different ways of limiting expenditure while managing the financial commitments attached to their current squad.
Nayef Aguerd has taken a different approach from Kondogbia and Harit. The Morocco defender has agreed to defer part of his remuneration, allowing Marseille to exercise greater control over its immediate expenses.
That arrangement does not necessarily mean the total amount owed to the player will be reduced. Instead, it gives the club additional flexibility by postponing part of the payment. The agreement highlights Marseille’s intention to continue restoring financial balance without automatically cutting the sums due to its players.
Aguerd’s position is also attracting interest from clubs outside France. Al Ittihad and Napoli are monitoring the defender’s situation, according to exclusive sources cited by Africafoot.
Marseille will soon return to Ligue 1 action when they face Paris FC in their third match of the French championship season. The match is being priced by betting company 1xbet at 1.77 for a Marseille victory, 4.00 for a draw and 4.00 for a Paris FC win.
The financial discussions involving Kondogbia, Harit and Aguerd come as Olympique de Marseille seek to reduce the pressure created by their wage commitments. While two players have refused to change their current terms, Aguerd’s decision to delay part of his payment offers the club another method of controlling short-term costs.
For Kondogbia and Harit, the refusal to accept further reductions leaves their long-term positions at Marseille unclear. With no contract extensions currently being considered for either player, their futures at the club are likely to remain a matter of attention as Marseille continue their financial reorganisation.
