Latest news with #LeonardoBalerdi
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roma ‘very keen' on Marseille's Balerdi
Roma are once again being linked with Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi. The Argentine defender had been linked with the Giallorossi already in the January session. However, Marseille refused to let him go. Advertisement According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport, Roma's interest in the young centreback hasn't faded. However, the feasibility of the operation is complicated by the costs considered too high. Marseille, in fact, is aiming high for its player and Roma could turn to other profiles to strengthen the defense.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sky: Marseille resistance as Juventus make contact for Balerdi
According to Sky Sport Italia, Juventus have made contact with Olympique Marseille for Leonardo Balerdi, but the Ligue 1 side, coached by Roberto De Zerbi, are unwilling to sell the 26-year-old. Juventus are interested in signing Marseille defender Balerdi, but the French club is reportedly not open to discussing a sale this summer. Sky: Marseille unwilling to discuss Balerdi's Juventus transfer BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – NOVEMBER 19: Leonardo Balerdi of Argentina controls the ball during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Peru at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on November 19, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by) Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio claims Juventus called Marseille to sound out the defender's availability, but found no willingness to negotiate a transfer. Advertisement The Serie A giants are on the lookout for a new centre-back as they want to restore solidity in defence, especially because Gleison Bremer is recovering from a knee injury sustained in October last year. Balerdi already played under Tudor TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 12: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between Juventus and Lecce at Allianz Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) Balerdi has collected 164 appearances in five years in Marseille, becoming the team's captain. Balerdi is under contract with Marseille until June 2028. The Argentine played 44 matches under Igor Tudor at the Stade Velodrome, scoring one goal. New Juventus General Manager Damien Comolli confirmed on Tuesday that Tudor would remain in charge of the team beyond the Club World Cup and for the entire 2025-26 campaign. What Comolli said about Juventus' new strategy 'I would like to hire a sporting director who will handle transfers and management, be involved in the transfer market, and focus on the youth sector, reporting directly to me,' Comolli said. Advertisement 'I have a person in mind, it is a process, but we don't want to rush. Once the structure is decided, we will also determine the personnel. 'We will also have a technical director, also reporting to me.' Click here for his whole press conference, including Juventus transfers, Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Facundo Medina prefers a move to Marseille over Bayer Leverkusen
According to L'Équipe, Facundo Medina (26) prefers a potential move to Marseille this summer over other clubs interested in his services, including Bayer Leverkusen. The Lens centre back's current contract expires in 2028, but is expected to leave the Ligue 1 club should a suitable offer arrive this summer. Les Sang et Or value the Argentine international at €25m. The Artois club are yet to receive a formal offer for the 26-year-old. However, several clubs are interested in recruiting Medina, who has given his priority to Roberto De Zerbi's side in the hopes of becoming an OM player before the summer is over. Advertisement Medina has discussed the prospect of playing for Les Phocéens with his international teammate Leonardo Balerdi (26). Marseille's interest in the centre-back is mutual, yet a potential move is not set to be completed before the beginning of July for financial and administrative reasons. GFFN | Liam Wraith
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal Defender Eyed By Marseille Ahead of Crucial Summer
Marseille's summer recruitment strategy is already being shaped around one pressing issue — the defence. With Roberto De Zerbi's side conceding 44 goals this season and ranking 8th in Ligue 1 defensively, bolstering the backline is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Foot Mercato French has reported a series of ambitious targets, as Medhi Benatia draws up plans to strengthen OM's spine. The Marseille faithful may be hoping for reinforcements, but financial reality and negotiating pitfalls suggest this saga could be just as dramatic as anything seen on the pitch. Lilian Brassier and Luiz Felipe were expected to deliver solidity. Instead, they've flattered to deceive, placing added pressure on Leonardo Balerdi and Geoffrey Kondogbia to hold the line. It's a situation that has prompted urgent internal analysis and aggressive scouting efforts, especially for a left-sided centre-back. 'In Marseille, experienced profiles are being studied.' Among them are Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal), Olivier Boscagli (PSV), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), and Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund). These are players who have tasted international football, understand high-stakes environments, and — in theory — would represent a substantial upgrade. 'The Polish international has been followed for a long time,' Foot Mercato reports, but Arsenal may be unwilling to part with the 24-year-old. Boscagli, although reportedly interested, 'has not made a return to France a priority.' Laporte, wanted by Benatia as early as winter, remains a viable option if a deal can be structured around a free transfer. The most striking name on OM's radar is that of Facundo Medina, RC Lens' 25-year-old Argentinian defender. With 145 Ligue 1 matches under his belt and five Argentina caps, he's hardly a gamble. 'According to his compatriot Leonardo Balerdi, he's very keen to join OM,' reads the report. He's also on the cusp of becoming a French citizen — a big plus, as he'll no longer count against the club's non-EU quota. That ticks several boxes, but not the most important one: affordability. 'However, according to our information, the Artois club is expecting at least €25 million for an experienced, international player under contract until June 2028.' That figure alone might be enough to scare OM off, but Medina's salary demands — reportedly inflated by his 'very greedy' agent — have also complicated matters. This is not a summer where Marseille intends to splurge. Club officials are determined to 'set minimum prices, from which OM does not intend to deviate.' In other words, compromise or collapse. Should OM qualify for the Champions League, financial flexibility may improve. But for now, every penny counts. Matches against Le Havre and Rennes will likely define both the club's continental future and the funding available to Benatia. Still, Marseille's intent is clear. 'We are more certain of the information gathering,' Foot Mercato notes, suggesting the recruitment work is meticulous and ongoing. There's a growing buzz around OM's defensive rebuild, and rightly so. For a club that's leaked goals and lost its defensive identity, this kind of clarity and focus from Medhi Benatia is encouraging. Fans are finally seeing a recruitment plan that aims high — Laporte, Kiwior, Medina — those aren't second-tier targets. They're elite-calibre, Champions League-grade defenders. But there's also an edge of realism creeping in. Medina is perfect on paper — EU passport pending, bags of Ligue 1 experience, and clear enthusiasm to join. Yet, €25 million and a 'greedy' agent? That's déjà vu in the worst way for OM supporters, who've seen deals unravel over cash before. If we miss out because of wage demands, that'll sting. Still, this feels like a new OM — less willing to overpay, more focused on long-term financial stability. The key will be Champions League qualification. With that golden ticket, we might just land one or two of these big names. Without it, expect Plan B… or even Plan C. Let's just hope De Zerbi gets the support he needs. Because with the right defender alongside Balerdi, this team could actually challenge, not just chase.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Leeds United given boost over ambitious summer transfer target
Leeds are striving to make several statement signings this summer after sealing their return to the Premier League via the Championship title Leeds have been handed an early transfer boost after defensive target Leonardo Balerdi refused to rule out a summer exit from Marseille. The Championship-winning Whites are eyeing a major summer splurge to bolster Daniel Farke's squad ahead of their return to the Premier League. Argentina international Balerdi is among those admired at Elland Road but Roma are also interested and crucially, the 26-year-old appears to be open to considering his options in the coming months. First though, he would like to ensure Marseille qualify for the Champions League next season as that was the French club's primary goal set by Robert De Zerbi at the beginning of the campaign. He said: "I say it every year: I'm very happy in Marseille, I feel good. I've always said I'd like to bring something back here to Marseille and I still have that goal, now, I have to focus on the last match. "After that, we'll see about the transfer window but I haven't looked at the offers. After that, I don't know. "I'd like the team to be in the Champions League and then I'll ask myself about my future.' Despite speculation over the future of Farke, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe has already confirmed the German boss will remain in Yorkshire next season. And Marathe is plotting an ambitious summer of transfers as he wants to make Leeds a force on the continental stage once again. He said earlier this week following promotion back to the top-flight: "I don't think anyone realised, this wasn't f****** easy. This was really hard to do. "Two years of getting to this point, but all that hard work and all that difficulty, makes right now that much more rewarding and what makes today so special. "I hope I never forget this moment. I want to live in this moment as much as I can. This is a journey, this is not the end. We have to keep going, this is what Leeds does. We are going to have some difficulties, but we are going to get where we want to go and we are going to be one of the best clubs in all of Europe." Leeds are expected to sign a new goalkeeper to rival Illan Meslier while there will also be a vast number exits with Patrick Bamford and Josuha Guilavogui among those that are poised to depart Elland Road. Keeping the club's top stars will also represent a big challenge as in previous years, they have been raided of their most-prized assets. Spurs are open to selling Leeds loanee Manor Solomon, who struck the decisive goal that fired Farke's side to the title at Plymouth on the final day, this summer following his heroic spell with the Whites. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
