Marseille prospect Darryl Bakola is being strongly linked with a move to Serie A side Sassuolo, with the probability of a transfer currently rated at 92% according to data from Transfermarkt.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who represents both France and Congo at youth level, is attracting interest after a sharp rise in his valuation, which now stands at €4.00m. Bakola is contracted to Marseille, but the available data does not specify an expiry date, leaving open the possibility that he could become a free agent in the near future and potentially move for a reduced fee or free of charge.
Sassuolo, established in Italy’s top flight, are reported to be monitoring Bakola as they look to add creativity and dynamism between the lines. Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder and preferring his right foot, the youngster has progressed rapidly through Marseille’s structure, stepping up from the U19s to the first team in September 2024 after joining the U17s from Red Star’s youth ranks in 2022, having earlier come through Racing Club de France’s academy.
Born in Clichy on 30 November 2007 and listed at 1.78m tall, Bakola has seen his market value climb steeply over the past year, rising from €200,000 in early 2025 to €1m by October and then quadrupling to €4m by mid-December. That trajectory underlines why clubs outside France, including Sassuolo, are now circling for his signature.
With experience confined so far to French youth and senior football at Marseille, a move to Serie A would represent Bakola’s first venture abroad. Should the deal materialise, it could prove a pivotal step in shaping his reputation as one of the more intriguing young attacking midfielders to emerge from Ligue 1 in recent seasons, and a significant test of his long-term potential at the top level.
