Marseille can´t make transfers – Deschamps

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said on Tuesday that the French champions cannot sign new players due to the current financial climate in the sport.

“The club cannot make transfers today,” he said at a press conference ahead of his side’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions Trophy here on Wednesday.

“I hope it improves quickly. It’s in our interests to make the team even more competitive.”

Marseille ended an 18-year wait for the French title last season but the club have made just one major signing this summer, bringing in Spanish right-back Cesar Azpilicueta from Osasuna for a fee that could rise to 9.5 million euros.

“It’s the economic reality, lots of clubs are suffering,” Deschamps added.

“You have to adapt. Of course I’d prefer to have all the players so that we can quickly start working together.

“The (transfer) deadline is August 31. To be more competitive and more efficient, it’s better for us to reinforce with players who bring us something extra. That extra has a price and at the current moment, it’s not possible for us.”

On July 14, Deschamps confirmed the club were in “discussions” with Bordeaux over the signing of their France international midfielder Alou Diarra.

The release clause in Diarra’s contract is around 7.5 million euros and Marseille will reportedly be unable to complete a transfer for him unless they free up funds by selling players first.