After weeks of torture for Marseille fans, it was finally announced that Bafétimbi Gomis would be leading their attack for the coming season.
The veteran striker, who has an impressive record in Ligue 1, is a cheap alternative to Michy Batshuayi, who was transfer to Chelsea earlier on this summer.
The Swansea forward will spend the season on loan with his local club (he was born in the area), and is very happy to be doing so.
In fact, he was so eager to get the deal done as soon as possible that he admitted taking a pay cut in an interview with La Provence on Monday.
He said: “I had a lot of offers, but I made the decision to come back to France. I quickly opted for Marseille after speaking with the manager. I made a financial effort so that the loan was doable for Marseille’s finances at a time where nothing is simple for a club going through a transition period.”
The player also admitted speaking to both André Ayew and André-Pierre Gignac before making a decision, but their words reassured him.
Gomis explained it was his decision to take a pay cut that made the deal go through ‘to show it wasn’t a question of money and that I really wanted to go home and take up the challenge’.
Considering Marseille finished 13th last season after a terrible time under Michel, and with most of last year’s starters now gone, ‘challenge’ seems like a nice word for the task ahead.
Who knows? Maybe Gomis will scored 30 goals and all will be fine, but we somehow doubt this.
