Marseille have confirmed the departure of Darryl Bakola to Sassuolo, with the 18-year-old midfielder moving to Serie A in a permanent deal reported at around €10m plus a further €2m in add-ons. The transfer was completed on 2 February 2026 and represents one of the biggest academy sales in Marseille's recent history.
Bakola joined Marseille's academy in 2022 from Red Star and quickly established himself as one of the most talked-about prospects to come through the club's youth system. He made his first-team debut in a 5-1 win over Le Havre in January 2025 and, at 17, started a Champions League match against Newcastle, where he played a long pass through the lines that set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's equaliser. He also earned caps for France at Under-18 and Under-20 level, and had previously been watched by Chelsea.
Sassuolo, back in Serie A after winning promotion, have moved for Bakola as part of a wider raid on Marseille's squad that also saw them agree deals involving midfielder Ismael Kone and left-back Ulisses Garcia. For Sassuolo, signing a highly-rated young attacking midfielder gives them a long-term asset with genuine top-level pedigree, someone they can build around as they establish themselves back among Italy's top flight.
For Marseille, the sale reflects a simple reality: Bakola's game time under head coach Roberto De Zerbi had been limited this season, with around 12-13 appearances and roughly 400 minutes across all competitions, mostly off the bench. He had not signed a contract extension at the club, and with his value likely to keep rising, Marseille opted to cash in now rather than risk losing him for less in the future or seeing his deal run down.
Despite the lack of regular minutes, Bakola's performances when called upon showed why he was so highly regarded. He operates as an attacking midfielder comfortable both in tight areas and playing progressive passes through the lines, a profile that fitted De Zerbi's possession-heavy system at Marseille even in a squad stacked with senior options in central midfield.
At Sassuolo, Bakola should get the one thing he lacked at Marseille: regular football. A newly promoted side rebuilding its squad for life back in Serie A is a natural environment for a talented teenager to play consistent minutes and develop, even if results in his first season may be mixed as both player and club adjust to the step up.