Olympique Marseille can breathe easier with the cash deal agreed with Aston Villa for Morgan Sanson.

Under huge pressure to ease growing debts, OM were desperate to find buyers for several of their players last month.

Sanson agreed to join Villa in the final week of the transfer window and thanks to the Premier League club agreeing to front load much of the settled fee, OM are in a better shape than they were heading into Christmas.

France Football says Villa agreed to pay €11m up front for Sanson, with a further €4m due before the start of next season.

And it's suggested a further €4m could arrive in bonuses based on appearances and success.