The saga lasted all summer without reaching the expected conclusion. Faris Moumbagna, the Cameroonian striker signed by Olympique de Marseille in winter 2024 for around €8 million from Bodø/Glimt, ultimately stays in the Marseille squad as the French transfer window closed on 1 September.
This outcome cuts against the intentions the Marseille club had signalled in recent weeks. Held back by repeated injuries since his arrival, Moumbagna was no longer seen as a priority by the sporting management, who hoped for a departure to thin out an already well-stocked attacking line.
The striker had already been loaned out once, to Cremonese in Serie A, with a purchase option that the Italian club did not exercise. Back at Marseille this summer, he still featured on the list of players being pushed towards the exit, without any offer deemed sufficient materialising before the French market closed.
Interest from Saudi Arabia did emerge in the final days, as the Gulf market stays open longer than those of Europe's major leagues. But no proposal came through, and Moumbagna is therefore starting the season with OM.
On the pitch, the decision now rests with coach Bruno Genesio: the first weeks of preseason hint at renewed confidence in a player the club had been trying to offload only weeks earlier. After a long spell without really featuring since joining Marseille, Moumbagna must now turn this opportunity into actual playing time.
