In an unexpected turn of events, Valentin Carboni’s stint with Marseille has come to a premature end. The 19-year-old Argentine forward, owned by Inter Milan, has returned to his parent club after a challenging loan spell in France. Inter Milan officially announced the early termination of Carboni’s loan agreement with Olympique de Marseille today.
Carboni’s time in Marseille did not unfold as anticipated when the deal was struck last summer. The young talent struggled to secure regular playing time under Roberto De Zerbi’s management. His situation took a turn for the worse in October when he suffered a devastating knee injury, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. This setback effectively ended his season and prompted both clubs to reassess the loan arrangement.
Inter Milan’s official statement confirmed that following discussions with Olympique de Marseille and the player, all parties agreed to terminate the loan prematurely. This decision allows Carboni to return to Milan, where he will continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of Inter’s medical staff.
The original loan agreement included some interesting clauses. Marseille had paid a €1 million loan fee and held an option to buy Carboni for €36 million. Inter, in turn, had a counter-option to repurchase him for €40 million, exercisable within 10 days of Marseille’s potential activation of their buy option. With the early termination of the loan, these clauses are now void, and Carboni’s rights fully return to Inter Milan.
Looking ahead, Inter has set an ambitious goal for Carboni’s recovery. The club aims to have him available by early June, in time for the compilation of the squad list for the upcoming Club World Cup. This timing is particularly significant as both Joaquin Correa and Marko Arnautovic, whose contracts expire on June 30, 2025, will be excluded from the tournament roster.
Carboni’s return to Inter presents a new chapter in his young career. While his Marseille adventure didn’t go as planned, the experience gained and the support he’ll receive during his recovery at Inter could prove invaluable for his future development. As he works towards full fitness, all eyes will be on this promising talent to see how he fits into Inter’s plans for the remainder of the season and beyond.
