Fans feared it, it is happening. Two and a half years after his arrival in Montpellier, Jonas Omlin is about to pack his bags for Germany. The international goalkeeper, in agreement with Borussia VfL Mönchengladbach, will wear the colors of the current eighth in the Bundesliga.
The German club had sent an offer on Monday and was to send a new one on Tuesday, which it did not fail to do: around nine million euros. Satisfactory, the latter allows Jonas Omlin, a year and a half from the end of his lease, to go replace his compatriot Yann Sommerjust sold to Bayern Munich.
The 29-year-old man, whom Montpellier had recruited from Basel under Michel Der Zakarian, will have worn 74 times the colors of La Paillade, a symbolic figure. His apparent coldness will not have prevented him from conquering the Mosson, with great professionalism, great rigor and sacred performances.
Benjamin Lecomte, the return?
Montpellier is carrying out a fine operation financially, with a capital gain of at least three million eurosbut takes a risk by letting slip a sure valueone of the few few to have nothing to be ashamed of in the current crisis.
To replace him, the MHSC could call on a former member of the house. At 31, Benjamin Lecomte currently keeps the cage of Espanyol Barcelona where he is loaned by Monaco, club with which he is linked for another year and a half.
The former international is targeted by La Paillade, and he could therefore return, four and a half years after flying off to the Rock and after experiencing mixed experiences.
Kiki Kouyate arrives Wednesday in Montpellier
Beyond the touch-ups in the cage, reinforcements were expected and requested in defense. They are, there too, about to arrive, in Montpellier. The first of them is called Kiki Kouyate.
Central defender who has both feet but which evolves rather on the right axis, until then, the 25-year-old Metz will have his medical examination this Wednesday, then should commit to the next four years. Montpellier, for its part, should pay a high sum, since close to the 6 million euros,
to attract him.
The 25-year-old Malian international, in twelve Ligue 2 games this season and in 55 Ligue 1 matches in the past, will strengthen a defense that has conceded nine goals over the last two days, against formations yet announced in difficulty. In the Hérault, he will find his compatriot Falaye Sackoand will initially compete with Christopher Jullien.
Cozza: will leave, will not leave?
The MHSC is also working on the arrival of a defender in the left lane, in the event of the departure of Nicolas Cozza, close to Wolfsburg
. If he were to leave this winter, in other words if the expected sum was released**, the grandson of the first captain of La Paillade would be replaced**, as confirmed by Laurent Nicollin at Free lunch.
Mentioned by our colleagues from The Team the track leading to Yahya Attiatallah , 27-year-old international, appears credible, to replace him. However, if the Moroccan left side is targeted, it is not not only by Montpellier, which his entourage confirms to us.
Defense: still a hell of a job
Used in six of the seven games played by the Atlas Lions, during the last World Cup, including a half against France in the semi-finals the Wydad Casablanca player is number two in selection behind his Bayern Munich friend, Noussair Mazraoui.
For his part, Maxime Estève is not 100% certain of being in Hérault in February. The former U20 international, who can dream of a place with the Espoirs for the Euro next summer, is in any case solicited by at least two formations, so far: in England and Italy.
Maxime Esteve: England or Italy?
It remains to be seen whether the offers on which the potential buyers are planning will arrive at Laurent Nicollin’s office, and whether they will live up to the expectations of the General Staff for a sale, this winter, of the Montpellier defender. A boy considered as a player with high potential, with a rather rare profile, in his position. The MHSC would not like to let it go for less than 15 million euros. Minimum
Finally, nothing ahead?
While an offensive reinforcement was being studied, the Paillade turned back, for the moment. Without departure, the arrival of a rookie in this game sector is no longer relevant, at the present time.
Announced as close to release by some media, Béni Makouana is not on the start line this evening, according to our information. No more than Elye Wahi, which the MHSC would prefer not to sell before next summer.
