Olympique de Marseille have officially sidelined Bamo Meïté, placing the Ivorian defender among six senior players relegated to the reserve squad as the club reshapes its roster under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Meïté’s exclusion marks a clear shift in direction for the Ligue 1 side, which has already begun reinforcing its defensive options with the arrivals of Facundo Medina and CJ Egan-Riley.
The 23-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Montpellier HSC, now finds himself without a role in De Zerbi’s tactical plans.
The decision comes as no surprise within the club, as Meïté’s future had been in doubt since his loan spell ended. Despite returning to Marseille this summer, he has not featured in the Italian manager’s pre-season strategy, and his reassignment to the National 3 reserve team further signals a lack of intent from the club to reintegrate him into the first-team fold.
Having joined Marseille with promise, Meïté has struggled to secure a consistent place in the squad, and his recent omission underscores the club’s readiness to move forward without him.
The Ivorian centre-back is still under contract until June 2028, earning an annual salary of €300,000—roughly 195 million FCFA—but with the recent developments, his departure appears imminent.
Clubs such as AJ Auxerre and Lorient have reportedly shown early interest in the defender, though no formal offers have been submitted.
For now, Meïté’s representatives are monitoring the situation as they weigh possible destinations where the player could relaunch his career and gain valuable playing time.
The former Montpellier loanee, once viewed as a potential long-term option in defence for Marseille, now finds himself in a professional limbo.
With the transfer window still open, the coming weeks will be critical for his future. A move—whether on loan or permanent—is increasingly necessary for the Ivorian, who will be eager to avoid spending the season on the fringes of professional football.
Despite the setback, Meïté remains a valuable asset on the market. According to Transfermarkt, he is currently valued at €4 million, a figure that reflects both his age and potential.
His athleticism, defensive discipline, and experience in Ligue 1 could appeal to clubs looking to bolster their back line ahead of the new season.
For Marseille, this is part of a broader squad reshaping aimed at restoring competitiveness after a turbulent 2024–25 campaign. With Roberto De Zerbi at the helm, the club appears to be placing greater emphasis on dynamic, ball-playing defenders, a profile that doesn’t align with Meïté’s strengths.
What remains to be seen is where the Ivorian will land next. While Auxerre and Lorient hover on the periphery of negotiations, a concrete offer could change the landscape quickly.
For now, Meïté must wait, train, and hope that his next move offers the platform he needs to revive a once-promising career.
