Jeffrey de Lange is in talks with Olympique Marseille over a new contract. His current deal runs until mid-2027, and his French club is keen to keep him.
Marseille are pleased with the competition Jeffrey de Lange provides for first-choice goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, and the club have opened talks with the Dutchman about a new contract.
De Lange’s current deal runs until mid 2027, but Marseille would like to secure his future sooner rather than later, both to protect the squad’s stability in goal and to avoid entering a period where his market value could drop if he edges closer to the final year of his contract. From the club’s perspective, keeping a reliable, ambitious number two who can step in without a major drop in level is seen as an important part of maintaining standards across a long season with domestic and European demands.
For De Lange himself, the situation is more complicated. The 27-year-old is at a point in his career where playing time is a major priority. Goalkeepers, more than most positions, build rhythm and confidence through regular matches, and at the moment those minutes are hard to come by in southern France. While he values the step up he made in the summer of 2024 when he joined from Go Ahead Eagles, he is also aware that spending too long as a back-up can stall momentum, especially when he feels ready to be a consistent starter. That internal debate is central to the negotiations, because a longer stay only makes sense for him if there is a clearer route to meaningful game time or at least strong guarantees about his role.
The coaching changes this season have played a major role in shaping his outlook. Roberto De Zerbi recently shifted De Lange into the first-choice position ahead of Rulli, a decision that suggested the staff saw something in the Dutch keeper that justified a change at the top of the pecking order. For De Lange, it was a sign that his work on the training ground was being rewarded and that a breakthrough could be near. However, the momentum did not last. De Zerbi was dismissed shortly afterwards, and his successor Habib Beye immediately restored Rulli as the starter. That quick reversal not only reduced De Lange’s opportunities, it also highlighted how fragile a goalkeeper’s situation can be when a club changes direction and a new coach resets the hierarchy.
As things stand, De Lange has played seven matches this season, already an improvement on last year, when he made just two appearances. Even so, those numbers underline the core issue: he is still far from being a weekly starter. If Marseille’s intention is to keep him long-term as a challenger to Rulli, they will need to convince him that his minutes will increase, whether through rotation, cup matches, a more open competition for the number one shirt, or a tactical preference that suits him. Otherwise, he may decide that the smartest move is to seek a club where he can be the undisputed first choice and develop through consistent high-level exposure.
The contract timeline adds another layer of pressure for both sides. If De Lange chooses not to extend, it is widely expected that Marseille will place him on the transfer list. The logic is straightforward: without an extension, the club risks losing him for free a little over a year later, which is rarely acceptable for a club managing both finances and squad planning. Marseille will want either a renewal that secures his value and keeps the goalkeeping department strong, or a transfer that brings in a fee and allows them to recruit a replacement profile. For De Lange, not extending keeps his options open, but it can also accelerate a summer decision, because Marseille may push for a sale to avoid the risk of him running his contract down.
In that sense, the coming period is likely to be decisive. If De Lange receives a clearer sporting project, such as a genuine chance to compete for the starting role or a defined pathway to more matches, he could be persuaded that staying is the right step. If not, the balance may tilt toward a move, especially if clubs can offer him a guaranteed number one position. Marseille, meanwhile, must weigh the benefit of strong internal competition in goal against the reality that a goalkeeper of De Lange’s age and ambition will not be content indefinitely with sporadic appearances. The talks are therefore not just about salary and contract length, but about role, sporting guarantees, and how both player and club see the next phase of his career unfolding.
