Newcastle United are being linked with a move for highly rated Marseille attacking midfielder Darryl Bakola, according to transfer data emerging from France.
The 18-year-old, who represents both France and Congo at youth level, is reported to be on the Premier League club’s radar as they assess options to strengthen their creative department. The latest information lists the proposed switch from Marseille to Newcastle as a rumoured deal, with no fee agreed and the probability of a transfer still marked as unclear.
Bakola’s current market value is estimated at €4.00m, reflecting a rapid rise over the course of 2025. Transfer data shows his value increasing from €200,000 to €1m and then to €4m in the space of a few updates, underlining how quickly his reputation has grown at senior level with Olympique Marseille. There is no registered contract expiry date in the information provided, leaving open the possibility that his situation could evolve towards a cut-price move or, in time, a free-agent scenario if no new terms are agreed.
Born in Clichy on 30 November 2007 and standing at 1.78m, Bakola has progressed through several French youth systems. He started at Racing Club de France’s youth ranks before moving to Red Star’s academy in 2020, then joined Marseille’s U17 side in 2022. A year later he stepped up to Marseille U19s, and in September 2024 he was promoted to the senior Olympique Marseille squad.
Capable of operating in the central attacking midfield role and preferring his right foot, Bakola has yet to be associated with any other league than Ligue 1 and its youth structures. With the reported link to Newcastle, a move to the Premier League would represent a significant leap in profile, and if the transfer does materialise, it could be a decisive step in shaping his career trajectory and international standing.
