Young Ivorian footballer Oumar Konate, who had initially joined the reserve squad of Olympique de Marseille with aspirations of securing his first professional contract, has returned to Ivory Coast after plans to sign with the French Ligue 1 club did not materialize as expected.
The 17-year-old striker was highly regarded by Marseille’s management and seemed poised to take the next step in his football career.
Despite impressing during his time with the club, Konate was unable to finalize the coveted contract. According to reports from La Provence, the decision has led the talented forward back to his home country, where he will rejoin his former club, SOL FC of Abobo.
Although Konate’s journey with Marseille has been put on hold, the Ligue 1 club remains interested in the young Ivorian’s potential.
Sources suggest that Marseille president Pablo Longoria still views Konate as a valuable prospect.
However, due to age restrictions, the club is considering signing him next summer when Konate turns 18, allowing him to meet the criteria for a professional contract in France.
Konate, who has demonstrated his talent and potential at a young age, will use his time at SOL FC to continue honing his skills.
His return to Ivory Coast is not seen as the end of his European ambitions, but rather a temporary step back before possibly returning to Marseille to complete the move.
Meanwhile, Olympique de Marseille is gearing up for their upcoming fixture against Strasbourg in the sixth round of the French Ligue 1 season.
The match will take place amid Marseille’s efforts to regain form and climb the league standings.
Betting odds for the match suggest Marseille is favoured to win, with odds set at 1.95 for a victory.
A draw is valued at 3.90, while a Strasbourg win is rated at 3.50.
The encounter will be crucial for Marseille as they look to solidify their position in the league after a mixed start to the season.
Though Oumar Konate will not be part of the immediate future at Marseille, the young striker’s story is far from over.
His return to SOL FC signals a new chapter, while the French club keeps an eye on him, hoping to bring him back next year as he approaches eligibility for professional football in Europe.
