Elye Wahi is set to leave Olympique de Marseille after just six months, heading to Eintracht Frankfurt, marking one of the swiftest exits recorded at the club.
Recruited last summer for €30 million, Wahi was initially brought in to fill the void left by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. His stint at Marseille, including three goals and one assist over 14 matches, was unsatisfactory, prompting club officials to reconsider his future.
Despite early optimism, Wahi struggled to adapt to the team's playing style under coach Roberto De Zerbi. By late October, he found himself relegated to the bench, as his place was taken by Neal Maupay. The situation deteriorated to the extent where Marseille's football director, Medhi Benatia, reportedly met with Wahi’s agent and family to suggest they seek other options, culminating in the current discussions for his transfer.
According to reports, Wahi has already agreed to personal terms with Frankfurt, who are responding to the anticipated loss of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City for around €80 million. Frankfurt aims to utilize some of this cash to secure Wahi, who remains regarded as a valuable asset on the market.
This sudden shift contradicts earlier commitments from Marseille president Pablo Longoria, who had claimed on December 18, 2024, during a press conference, the club would retain Wahi through the winter transfer window. Just over a month later, the reality is starkly different, as Marseille recognizes Wahi’s incompatibility with their project.
Marseille’s decision not to retain Wahi stems from his inability to meld seamlessly with the squad. The club stated there are no character issues with Wahi, but they no longer perceive him as fitting with their sporting ambitions.
The potential transfer leaves Wahi reflecting on his aspirations. Just at the time when he achieved success with his performance by scoring against Le Havre, he faced debilitating injuries, missing key matches against Rennes and Lille. Despite having made strides to improve his game through personal training, it became increasingly evident to Wahi and his camp he was not secure in his position at Marseille.
Speculation has dominated the discussions around his future, with various English clubs also pursuing him. Nevertheless, Wahi appears to favor the Bundesliga as his next destination. The league is known for its supportive environment for French players, with notable examples like Randal Kolo Muani and Hugo Ekitike tasting success there.
While negotiations are still underway, both clubs are close to reaching an agreement with the transfer fee expected to hover around the initial purchase price from RC Lens. For Marseille, recouping their investment is pivotal, considering Wahi's underwhelming tenure.
Should this move materialize, it would not be the first quick departure for the club, with several recent signings failing to capture their potential. Names such as Cédric Bakambu and Ruslan Malinovskyi come to mind, and now Wahi seems poised to join this list.
Elye Wahi’s departure appears to be not just another transaction, but indicative of the complex dynamics within the competitive world of football where expectations often clash with reality.
Marseille is already working on identifying possible replacements to support Neal Maupay, the only experienced forward left. The search for new talent has become pressing, as the club looks to avoid repeating previous recruitment mistakes and to bolster their attack for the second half of the season.
With the winter transfer window closing soon, Elye Wahi’s future will likely be confirmed before then, as fans at Marseille prepare for another farewell.