In difficulty at Olympique de Marseille, where he landed last summer from RC Lens for 25 million euros, Elye Wahi already seems to be pushed towards the exit. The 22-year-old international hopeful did not meet the expectations placed on him, with a mixed record of three goals (including a penalty) and an assist in Ligue 1. His future is written in dotted lines today, and Eintracht Frankfurt is about to offer him a way out. If initially OM hoped to see their young attacker gain strength, the leaders quickly came up against a more complex reality. Despite undeniable qualities, Wahi struggled to integrate into the Marseille collective. While his goal against Le Havre at the start of 2025 could have been the symbol of a revival, it was slowed down by a thigh injury which deprived him of several crucial matches (Rennes, Lille, Strasbourg), where OM needed him because it was the young Robinio Vaz, 17, recruited this summer to strengthen the reserve, who made two notable appearances.
Roberto De Zerbi, the Marseille coach, initially pleaded for patience, insisting on the time needed to polish this rough diamond. However, at a press conference on Friday, the Italian was much more evasive after he had been firm on Rongier: “We'll see, for the moment there's nothing at all. We'll see in the coming weeks.” A cautious posture which poorly hides the turn taken by the file. Because behind the scenes, a decisive meeting was held at the end of the week between Medhi Benatia, OM football director, Wahi's agent and mother according to information from Provence. The club clearly suggested to the player's clan to look for a way out, recognizing that the ex-Montpellier does not correspond to the expectations of the Marseille project. A choice all the more striking as OM has never criticized Wahi for a lack of commitment or professionalism. On the contrary, the player had taken measures to improve his lifestyle, hiring a personal fitness trainer and a home chef in order to put all the chances on his side.
Despite this involvement, Wahi realized that his playing time was likely to be reduced even further. Fearing that his future would darken, he let himself be convinced by the opportunity offered by Eintracht Frankfurt. The German club, known for its ability to revive Ligue 1 attackers like Randal Kolo Muani or Hugo Ekitike, wishes to reinvest part of the 80 million euros received from the sale of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City. For Frankfurt, Wahi represents an interesting bet. And the converse is true for the player, who prefers to bounce back in the Bundesliga than try his luck in the Premier League, as Romain Canuti explained during the last Talk Show which you can find on video.
-According to Foot Market et RMC Sportdiscussions between OM and Eintracht are well advanced. An agreement in principle would have been found for an amount close to that invested by OM last summer. The Marseille leaders, who must rebalance their finances, will not be too demanding to conclude this transfer quickly. Once the transaction is finalized, the Marseille club will focus on finding a replacement capable of supporting Neal Maupay, currently the only experienced striker available. The probable departure of Wahi will redistribute the cards within the Marseille squad. If young people like Robinio Vaz Te and Rowe can offer one-off solutions, OM cannot compromise their ambitions for the second half of the season.
Wahi, for his part, saw this turning point with bitterness. Arriving with hopes in his head and the dream of winning under the colors of OM, he must now resolve to make a new start. This mixed passage could, however, serve as a springboard for him to bounce back in an environment more conducive to his development. Frankfurt offers him the opportunity to enroll in a sporting project in a championship that better suits his style of play and his aspirations. While OM is already turning the page on Elye Wahi, the question of his successor remains unanswered. The Marseille club is carefully examining the market so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The objective is clear: find a striker compatible with De Zerbi's playing philosophy and capable of quickly adapting to the demands of the club and its supporters. While waiting for the transfer to be formalized, which should first await the formalization of Marmoush at Manchester City, Marseille supporters are already preparing their farewell to a player who, despite real efforts, will never really have found his place in Marseille .
