Leonardo Balerdi rejects Bayer Leverkusen bid of over €25m

Leonardo Balerdi, 27, rejected Bayer Leverkusen’s offer of over €25 million plus bonuses, keeping his future at Olympique de Marseille uncertain. The French club, desperate for cash, faces a possible UEFA ban next summer if its finances do not improve significantly.

Olympique de Marseille avoided exclusion from European competition for the coming season after UEFA issued a suspended sentence. Should the club’s financial situation remain unchanged by next summer, the suspended sentence could convert into an outright ban.

Mason Greenwood is identified as Marseille’s most marketable player, and the club is actively seeking a transfer for the former Manchester United forward. AS Roma have expressed interest in Greenwood, although the club considers him a difficult player to sell.

L’Équipe reported that Bayer Leverkusen submitted a bid exceeding €25 million, plus bonuses, for Balerdi during the spring transfer window. The Argentine defender, who began the season as Marseille’s captain, was not enthusiastic about moving to the Bundesliga club.

Balerdi subsequently suffered a calf injury that ruled him out of the FIFA World Cup despite being named in Argentina’s squad. His absence from the tournament further delays any potential departure from Marseille.

A transfer for Balerdi is still anticipated, but the ongoing World Cup is slowing negotiations. Marseille’s urgency to raise funds remains high as the club balances its financial challenges with competitive ambitions.

Report compiled by Luke Entwistle.