Olympique de Marseille president Vincent Labrune is looking for a short-term replacement for Ghana international Andre Ayew.
The talented forward who has made a spectacular start to the current campaign for Les Phoceens will shortly be leaving the province of Rhone in order to represent Ghana in the upcoming African Cup of Nations.
As OM head to Dortmund to face reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park, a lot of rumours surround the future of the young Ghanaian.
Reports suggest that Ayew was approached by Bayern Munich for a move to the Allianz Arena in the winter transfer window.
Though the youngster has for now pledged his loyalty to the Rhone club, a move could still not be ruled out.
Vincent Labrune is now keen on finding a player who can fill in for Ayew when the youngster leaves for the African Cup of Nations.
Most of the African contingent at Marseille would be leaving the club after 20 December to link up with their respective teams.
Andre Ayew’s absence would be felt a lot as the youngster has played a crucial role in the club’s recent return to winning ways.
While talking to French daily Le Phoceen, Labrune updated on the current situation regarding the African Cup of Nations at the club.
The president said that the club is for now more concerned about the upcoming Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League matches rather than the winter transfer window.
However, Labrune admitted that he is looking for replacements of those players who would be playing in the tournament hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
''The only thought right now is the possible replacement of players who will go for CAN and more particularly that of Andre Ayew because we do not have a player of his caliber in that position in our squad.''
With Olympique de Marseille finally returning to their original selves, it would be a major blow to their plans when Ayew leaves to play for Ghana.
Furthermore, Marseille's chances of signing a big-name player in the winter transfer window are slim so someone in the squad will have to step up and make the best out of the chances he is given before Ayew returns to the side.