Tim Weah's Turbulent Transfer Drama Finally Reaches Breaking Point as USMNT Star Eyes Exit
United States men's national team forward Timothy Weah appears poised to depart Juventus before the 2025–26 European campaign, with a transfer to Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille reportedly in the works.
The 25-year-old Weah joined the Italian powerhouse in 2023 but failed to establish himself as a key player and seemed to fall out of favor with head coach Igor Tudor for the coming season. Relations became strained. Recently, Weah's agent, Badou Sambague, publicly criticized Juventus sporting director Damien Comolli, claiming the Turin-based club demonstrated "complete disrespect" toward his player after Comolli questioned Weah's desire to move specifically to Marseille rather than consider other options.
"The player desires to join Marseille, but in football you cannot simply select a destination because without the proper offer arriving, you remain without a club," Comolli responded. "And that offer has not materialized yet."
Currently, it seems a transfer will be completed. Marseille have "reached verbal agreement" to secure Weah on loan for the 2025–26 season in an arrangement that includes a mandatory purchase option, according to Fabrizio Romano. The French club is set to pay €1 million ($1.16 million) for the temporary deal through the campaign's conclusion before finalizing a €14 million ($17.4 million) permanent transfer next summer.
The teams have also reportedly settled on €3 million ($3.48 million) in performance bonuses and a future sale percentage for the attacker who netted seven times in 78 appearances for the Old Lady.
By joining Marseille, Weah will work under demanding Italian tactician Roberto de Zerbi. He also makes his comeback to France's premier division, where he previously featured for Paris Saint-Germain and Lille. During his time with the northern club, Weah found the net eight times across 107 appearances, contributing to their shocking Ligue 1 championship triumph in 2020–21.
The fresh environment and league return should also position Weah for consistent playing time before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in North America, where he could serve as a crucial component for the USMNT.
During this summer, Weah was unavailable for USMNT duty at the Concacaf Gold Cup due to Juventus' FIFA Club World Cup obligations, yet only featured for 45 minutes across their four matches leading to the tournament's quarterfinal stage.
At Marseille, he joins fellow North American Derek Cornelius, the Canadian defender. He will aim for better fortune than another Canadian, Ismael Koné, who experienced a highly publicized dispute with De Zerbi and now plays for Sassuolo in Serie A.
Marseille begin their Ligue 1 campaign facing Rennes on Aug. 15, and will also participate in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League competition.