​Footmercato reports that Genoa have reached an agreement to take Olympique de Marseille midfielder Hamed Traoré on loan with an option to buy, valued at €8 million. The French outlet indicates that the clubs have effectively shaking hands on a deal that would allow Genoa to convert the arrangement into a permanent transfer at the conclusion of the season. The arrangement would also relieve Marseille of Traoré’s salary obligations, providing financial relief to the financially strained Ligue 1 club.
Traoré, 26, is Ivory Coast international, bringing with him Serie A experience from his time at Empoli, Sassuolo, and Napoli. The move to Genoa would mark a return to Italian football for the midfielder, who joined Bournemouth for a reported €25.6 million in 2023. Since then, Traoré has spent time on loan at Napoli, Auxerre, and most recently Marseille.
Last summer’s deal with Bournemouth was structured as a loan with a near-obligatory purchase option valued at €7.7 million, a clause that was activated despite injury setbacks that limited his appearances to 19 matches across all competitions. During his stint with Marseille, Traoré still contributed three goals and two assists, underscoring his potential impact when fully fit.
Traoré’s career has seen him traverse major European leagues, including his earlier spells in Italy with Empoli and Sassuolo, where he demonstrated versatility and attacking prowess from midfield. The prospective Genoa move aligns with the club’s ambitions to strengthen their squad as they navigate competition in Serie A and seek to improve their domestic standing. If the loan with an option to buy becomes permanent, Traoré would bring additional creative options to Genoa’s midfield, complementing the team’s tactical setup and offering another route to goal and assists.
For Marseille, the deal would provide immediate financial relief by removing Traoré’s salary from the wage bill, which could help stabilize the club’s budget while they continue to optimize their squad under their current management. The negotiations reflect a broader trend in European football where clubs use structured loan agreements with future purchase options to balance sporting aims with financial considerations.
Observers will be watching closely to see whether Genoa exercises the €8 million option to buy at season’s end, a decision that would depend on Traoré’s form, fitness, and fit within the team’s tactical plans. If the option is exercised, Traoré would become a permanent Genoa player, potentially shaping the club’s midfield for the next phase of their campaign in Serie A.