Lyon coach Rudi Garcia is desperate to see reported West Ham United target Marcelo put pen to paper on a new deal with the Ligue 1 title challengers, as he told Sport.
The Brazilian will turn 34 before the end of the season and, while some will suggest that the time is right to move on from a veteran centre-half, it is fair to say Garcia sees things a little differently.
In his eyes, Marcelo has a lot left to offer in a league in which age counts for little.
Fellow defenders Laurent Koscienly and Jose Fonte have both enjoyed an autumnal renaissance in French football, while Montpellier’s 43-year-old captain Vitorino Hilton is as solid and reliable as ever.
The Sun reports that Marcelo could be offered a fresh start at West Ham if Lyon opt against extending a contract, which is due to expire in July.
But, after starting him in 19 of Lyon’s 21 league games in 2020/21, Garcia is understandably keen to see one of his on-pitch leaders stick around for the long haul.
“He is in discussions with the club (over a new deal). If you ask me, on a personal level, I think that he’s a very, very important part of our team and our defence. He is in the prime of life,” said the former Roma, Lille and Marseille boss.
“In addition, in central defence, you can play for a very, very long time. Vitorino Hilton won’t contradict me.
“And I, who went to Italy, left a championship in France where we find that the players are aging quite quickly, while there, it is quite common to have players who play up to 36, 37, 38 years old. And more easily in central defence.
“I think Marcelo still has good years ahead of him, provided they are at Olympique Lyonnais.”
West Ham came very close to signing Marcelo for £20 million in January 2019 and are now looking to snap him up on a free transfer some 18 months later.
The former PSV and Besiktas stopper was the unlikely hero as Lyon battered Rhone rivals St Etienne 5-0 away from home over the weekend, scoring two bullet headers at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard.
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