Arsenal 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 holds both French and Congolese nationality, is reportedly on the radar of the Premier League club, with speculation centring on a potential switch from Ligue 1 to north London. The rumour, logged on 23 December 2025, does not carry a clear probability rating, with the likelihood of a deal currently listed as “?”.
Bakola, valued at €4.00m on the transfer market, has seen his estimated worth rise sharply over the course of 2025, climbing from €200,000 in March to its current figure by mid-December. That surge reflects his rapid progression at Marseille, where he has moved through the youth ranks to the first team, wearing shirt number 50.
The attacking midfielder only stepped up from Marseille’s U19 side to the senior squad in September 2024, having previously progressed from the club’s U17 team in 2023. Before joining Marseille’s academy, he spent time with Red Star’s youth set-up and Racing Club de France’s youth ranks, remaining within the French system throughout his development.
Bakola was born in Clichy on 30 November 2007 and stands at 1.78m, operating primarily as an attacking midfielder and preferring his right foot. His current registration shows no confirmed contract expiry date, leaving open the possibility that he could become a free agent in future if no extension is agreed, a factor that may be of interest to potential suitors.
While there are no confirmed match details or standout senior performances recorded in the available data, Arsenal’s reported interest underlines how quickly Bakola’s reputation is growing – and if a move does materialise, it could mark a significant step in a career already accelerating at notable speed.
