Hamed Junior Traoré Set To Join Marseille As Loan Deal Agreed With Bournemouth

Hamed Junior Traoré is ready to join Olympique de Marseille. Bournemouth has allowed him to travel to France, finalizing a deal that brings the Ivorian midfielder back to Ligue 1.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Bournemouth and Marseille have agreed on Traoré‘s move. The 25-year-old will join Marseille on loan. There’s a clause to make the transfer permanent for €7.5 million, which could go up to €15 million with bonuses. Traoré had a strong 2024/25 season on loan at Auxerre, where he scored 10 goals and provided 2 assists in 26 games, helping the club stay in Ligue 1. He returned to Bournemouth in the summer and made an impact with an assist against Liverpool in the Premier League. However, he sought more regular playing time. Traoré has now agreed to a five-year contract with Marseille, pending final details and a medical. He will compete for a place among attacking options like Amine Gouiri, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mason Greenwood, and Timothy Weah.

OM’S SITUATION AND TRAORÉ’S IMPACT

Marseille are trying to recover from a poor start to the new Ligue 1 season, currently sitting 12th with only 3 points from their first two games. Their attack has struggled for goals, exacerbated by the departure of Jonathan Rowe, who has been made available for transfer with Marseille expected to receive 10% of any future sale, as confirmed in a recent report by sources. Traoré’s arrival is seen as a direct boost to their attack, bringing energy and goal-scoring ability. For Bournemouth, the move allows them to recover some of the €25.62 million invested in Traoré in 2023, especially after he struggled to settle on the south coast.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MARSEILLE AND TRAORÉ?

Traoré will complete his transfer after his medical. Marseille hopes to improve when they play Lyon in a match that puts head to head two teams aiming at Champions League spots this season. Lyon has won both their matches, and Marseille will want to win the match to avoid Lyon, and potentially other teams, to get 6 points ahead of them in the standings. Marseille’s immediate goal is to enhance their form and climb up the table. There is optimism that Traoré’s arrival will invigorate their attack and aid in catching up to their rivals.