Leonardo Balerdi has turned down a €25 million move to Bayer Leverkusen, according to L’Équipe, as Marseille prepare to face scrutiny from the DNCG over their financial situation. The Argentine defender, currently under contract with the French club until 2028, opted to remain at the Stade Vélodrome despite Leverkusen’s offer, which included potential bonus payments.
Leverkusen, who qualified for the Europa League and are now managed by Carles Martinez Novell, formerly of Toulouse, had identified Balerdi as a potential reinforcement. The 27-year-old reportedly did not feel compelled by the prospect of a move to the Bundesliga side, leading to his decision to decline their approach. This comes after Balerdi suffered a calf injury while on international duty with Argentina, ruling him out of the recent World Cup.
Marseille are currently under pressure to balance their finances and are expected to sell players this summer to avoid further financial difficulties. The club will appear before the DNCG, the French football league’s financial fair play body, on Tuesday to discuss their situation. Despite interest from Serie A side Roma, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, in Mason Greenwood, no concrete offers have yet been received for the Englishman.
Balerdi joined Marseille in January 2021 from Borussia Dortmund, initially on loan before making the move permanent. He has become a regular fixture in the Marseille defence, making 27 appearances in Ligue 1 last season. The refusal of the Leverkusen offer suggests Balerdi remains committed to the project at Marseille, despite the club’s ongoing financial concerns. This situation could potentially impact Marseille's ability to strengthen other areas of the squad, depending on their success in generating transfer revenue.
The club’s need to sell players to satisfy the DNCG could lead to further departures in the coming weeks, with Greenwood potentially becoming a key asset in raising funds. However, until a suitable offer arrives, the former Manchester United player remains at the club. Balerdi’s decision to stay with Marseille provides some stability to their backline, but the overall financial picture remains a significant challenge for the club.
