Thursday, 26th June, 2014
Marseille have snapped up Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi from Standard Liege, a player who was tracked closely by Arsenal earlier this year and declared his admiration for the Gunners.
Batshuayi, who has in some quarters been compared to Mario Balotelli, was a surprise omission from Marc Wilmots' Belgium World Cup squad, but has gone some way towards making up for the disappointment by joining Marseille.
The 20-year-old was in prolific goalscoring form for Standard Liege last term, hitting the back of the net 21 times in the Belgian top flight.
Now Marseille have secured his services, paying just €7m for the striker, but with Standard Liege being entitled to a large percentage of any future transfer fee.
"They were very serious when they contacted me and they have signed a great coach [in Marcelo Bielsa]", Batshuayi told Marseille's site.
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"I am an attacker who has very good technique. I'm quite fast and powerful.
"My weakness is in the air. I have to work on that.
"Marseille are a big club. I've seen all the trophies in the office and that has given me incentive and it has made me dream."
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