At the age of 36, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has made a return to Olympique de Marseille after a successful season in the Saudi Pro League with Al Qadsiah. The move strengthens Marseille’s already well-stocked attacking line, made possible by the work of Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia.
It’s one of the great stories of the Ligue 1 transfer window. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be making his return to the Orange Velodrome in a few weeks’ time against Paris FC on Matchday 2 of Ligue 1, much to the delight of Marseille fans.
Even if the Gabon international’s last season was complicated in terms of the team’s sporting results, his individual contribution inevitably left Marseille with fond memories.
He scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions, helping OM reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. These figures had not been reached since Didier Drogba in the 2003/04 season (32 goals).
However, Marseille were forced to downsize their squad and Aubameyang was one of the players who had to jump ship because his salary (€7.2 million a year) was deemed too high.
The option of Saudi Arabia then arose, and the player joined Al Qadsiah for €6.5 million. In the Saudi Pro League, the Gabonese player maintained his standards last season, compiling 17 goals in the Saudi league.
Despite his age of 36, the former Arsenal star is proving that he is still competitive and could therefore be a valuable addition to OM’s squad.
Good relationship between Longoria and Aubameyang crucial
A year later, Aubameyang has returned as a free agent after terminating his contract with Al Qadsiah, with one year remaining on his contract. Naturally, he will earn far less than he did in Saudi Arabia (€20 million a year), but more importantly, his salary at OM will be lower than it was during his first spell at the club.
A considerable effort on the part of the player, made possible thanks to his very close relationship with Pablo Longoria. Despite his departure from OM, the two men have always maintained an excellent, friendly relationship, the Spaniard having always appreciated the player’s personality and professionalism. Circumstances forced them to part ways in 2024, but the relationship remained intact.
The two men have remained in contact ever since, and during an exchange between them in June, according to our information, Aubameyang explained to Longoria that he wanted to leave Al Qadsiah this summer.
The Spaniard then asked him if he would like to return to Marseille, to which the Gabonese replied ‘yes’ without any hesitation whatsoever. Marseille, therefore, became the player’s priority if he were to leave Saudi Arabia, and that’s when Medhi Benatia entered the loop.
The Gabon international had to negotiate the termination of his contract with the Saudi club, which he managed to obtain on July 17th, a month after that famous discussion with Pablo Longoria.
Two weeks later, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang landed at Marseille Provence Airport, welcomed by OM fans thanks to the hard work of the club’s director of football.
Known for working day and night, Benatia led negotiations with the striker’s entourage until a total agreement was reached on the terms of his salary (around €4.2 million a year). Another fine lesson in club management from the Moroccan.
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