€10 million option fuels Genoa's bid for Traore in Serie A

Genoa have secured Ivory Coast midfielder Hamed Junior Traore on a season‑long loan from Olympique Marseille, adding a €10 million purchase option as they look to strengthen their midfield for the 2024‑25 Serie A campaign. The 26‑year‑old returns after a year away from Italy, hoping his dynamism can lift the side's creative play.

The Italian side Genoa secured a one‑season loan, with the right to make the transfer permanent for around €10 million at the end of the campaign. The deal was finalised after Traore passed his medical examinations this week.

Traore, 26, is an Ivory Coast international who previously featured for Sassuolo and Bournemouth, and has experienced loan spells in both Italy and France. His stint at Sassuolo earned him a reputation as a dynamic midfielder, prompting interest from the Premier League.

He began his development in the Empoli youth academy before moving to Sassuolo, where he was sold to Bournemouth for €25.6 million in 2023. That transfer marked the highest fee of his career to date.

Subsequent loan periods saw Traore feature for Napoli, Auxerre and Marseille, the latter including an option to purchase him permanently for €7.7 million. These experiences gave him exposure to both Serie A and Ligue 1 competition.

After completing his medical, Traore signed the contract and said on the club website, “It is a pleasure to be back in Italy and I thank Genoa for this chance.” He added,“I hope to deserve the faith of the coach, my teammates and these fans.”)

The loan allows Genoa to evaluate Traore’s impact in Serie A before committing the €10 million fee, while the midfielder gains a platform to re‑establish himself in Italy’s top flight. Having represented the Ivory Coast at senior level, he brings valuable international experience to the squad.)