Olympique de Marseille signs youngster Malanda, eyes transfer of Hamed Traoré to Genoa

Olympique de Marseille have completed the signing of 18‑year‑old striker Jephthe Malanda from the Lille OSC academy on a three‑year contract. The club says the move fits its strategy of recruiting young talent to keep expenses low, noting “L’OM privilégie les jeunes talents pour limiter les coûts financiers.” Malanda, described as a lanky, raw forward, will initially play with the reserve side.

At the same time, Marseille are preparing to off‑load Ivorian winger Hamed Junior Traoré, who arrived from Bournemouth for just under €10 million last summer but struggled with injuries and limited impact. Reports indicate a verbal agreement with Italian side Genoa, with the transfer expected to reduce Marseille’s wage bill and recoup part of the original fee as the club seeks to balance its accounts ahead of the DNCG review.