Marseille chief Lorenzi plays down hopes of big January spending

📰 With Marseille struggling, sporting director Grégory Lorenzi has warned fans not to see January as the answer. 📌 Key points 🧊 Lorenzi played down hopes of major January signings. 🏦 The DNCG, France's financial watchdog, is the main constraint. 📅 A DNCG hearing in December will decide January's budget. 🔄 He revealed Marseille wanted Zachary Athekame but could not bid. 📉 Marseille are 17th in Ligue 1. 📝 What happened 🎤 "We have to bring calmness and stop thinking solely about the transfer window. We have a constraint that is the DNCG," Lorenzi said. "Waiting for TV rights or UEFA Champions League qualification to make a budget is bad management," he added, calling for finances that do not depend on results. 💸 Under financial constraints from UEFA and the DNCG, Marseille lost key players this summer including Mason Greenwood, Facundo Medina, Geronimo Rulli, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Quinten Timber and Leonardo Balerdi. 🔄 Lorenzi told L'Équipe the club also tried to sign Swiss defender Zachary Athekame. "I spoke to him, Genesio spoke to him," he said, but commitments to UEFA and the DNCG meant no offer could be made. Athekame instead joined rivals Lyon on a season-long loan from AC Milan. 📊 By the numbers • Start to the season: 5 defeats in 6 games in all competitions • League position: 17th of 18 • DNCG hearing: December • Next game: away at Troyes on 11 October 🔭 Why it matters With results poor and January help uncertain, Marseille must get through with the squad they have. Lorenzi has already dismissed reports that coach Bruno Genesio could resign. Marseille visit promoted Troyes at 8.45pm local time on 11 October in Ligue 1 Matchday 6.