Football: Olympique Marseille Targets Nigeria’s Jordan Torunarigha For Summer Move?
by Devesh Jaganath | by Cydias Aujard
Torunarigha On The Radar Of Ligue 1 Giants
After missing out on European football last season, Olympique Marseille are enjoying a much better campaign in Ligue 1 this term, and while they will not be able to surpass PSG for the title, they are looking increasingly likely to secure Champions League qualification, as we expect in our Ligue 1 predictions.
Les Phoceens had a busy transfer season in 2024-25, as they looked to bolster their attacking ranks with the acquisitions of Elye Wahi, Mason Greenwood and Amine Gouiri, whom they splashed out over €70m to bring to Stade Velodrome.
Ahead of next season, it seems that Roberto De Zerbi is now looking to tighten up in defence, and reports in recent days suggest that the team are considering a move for highly-rated Super Eagles defender Jordan Torunarigha.
De Zerbi mentioned in an interview recently that should he remain at the helm next season, he intends to implement a new tactical system at the back which will revolve around a four-man defence. The Marseille boss also emphasised the importance of having a robust backline in order to challenge for top honours in Europe.
Torunarigha is believed to be one of Les Phoceens' top targets to fit into their defence, and he is set to become a free agent at the end of his season, with his current contract at KAA Gent now into its final few months.
It is understood that the management of the Belgium Pro League side has approached the defender about a contract extension, but he has turned down their revised terms. The 27-year-old is now expected to leave Planet Group Arena in the summer.
However, Marseille is not the only team that is keeping tabs on the Nigerian centre-back, as Leeds United, TSG Hoffenheim and Crystal Palace have also been credited with an interest in his services, though no formal offers have been made just yet.
Can Jordan Torunarigha Help Nigeria Secure World Cup Qualification?
While Gent had an underwhelming season in the Belgian Pro League, finishing in sixth place and missing out on Europe, Torunarigha was a mainstay in the team, turning out in 29 games in central defence in the top flight.
The 27-year-old represented Germany at the Under-15 to Under-23 levels and made 23 appearances before switching allegiance to Nigeria in 2023. He then made his Super Eagles debut against Mozambique in a friendly later the same year.
After Nathan Tella opted to withdraw from Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers last month, Eric Chelle made the decision to call up Torunarigha for the team's matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, but he was an unused substitute in both games.
With the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup hanging by a thread, Chelle will need to find a way to win all of their remaining matches in the competition, and that will likely require changes being made, particularly in defence, where the side has shipped far too many cheap goals.
Nigeria will resume their World Cup qualification campaign in September with a double-header against Rwanda and South Africa.
