Marseille nabs Sanson from Montpellier

Marseille's fight for a return to European football received a massive boost Tuesday with the signing of midfielder Morgan Sanson from Montpellier.

Olympique announced the news with a statement on its website, with the 22-year-old making the Stade Velodrome switch for an initial fee of €9 million that could rise to €12 million with performance-related bonuses.

Making the two-hour drive west, Sanson will be in Marseille for his medical, marking an end to three-and-a-half seasons of top-flight football at Montpellier.

"I am very happy that the first player who joins us in the window is one of the most promising talents of French football. We also want to rely on young players who will accompany OM Champion's project until we reach our goals," Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud said.

Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin chimed in as well, saying, "Joining Olympique de Marseille was a great opportunity for Morgan and an extra step in his young career. We wish him well in the future."

With Sanson, Rudi Garcia's lot is adding a young player who can play across the midfield, pairing dribbling skills with an eye for goal. In 20 Ligue 1 matches this campaign, Sanson has a trio of goals and seven helpers for mid-table Montpellier.

The Le Mans academy product will likely play alongside reigning Ligue 1 Player of the Month Maxime Lopez to good effect in support of the likes of Florian Thauvin and Clinton Njie, as Marseille attempts to turn over a new leaf with the arrival of Garcia and new owner Frank McCourt.

A nine-time French champ mired in a stretch of dire campaigns, things are looking up for Marseille. Currently sitting in sixth on 30 points level with Breton minnow Guingamp, OIympique is four points adrift of Lyon and a Europa League spot after finishing 13th last season.