Bayer Leverkusen Pursues Argentine Defender Facundo Medina and Genk Right‑Back Zakaria El Ouahdi
Bayer Leverkusen have opened negotiations with Olympique Marseille to acquire Argentine defender Facundo Medina as a replacement for Alejandro Grimaldo, who departed for Atlético Madrid. Marseille have set a minimum asking price of €25 million for Medina, who signed permanently from RC Lens for about €20 million last summer and is contracted until 2030. Medina featured in five World Cup matches for Argentina, starting three and appearing as a substitute in the final.
The German club are also evaluating Genk’s Moroccan international Zakaria El Ouahdi for the right‑back role. El Ouahdi, aged 24, is under contract with KRC Genk through 2028 and recorded 12 goals with six assists in 43 league and Europa League appearances last season. He has four senior caps and came on as a substitute in Morocco’s World Cup quarter‑final loss to France. Both Leverkusen and Marseille missed Champions League qualification in their domestic leagues.
Entities: Bayer Leverkusen · Facundo Medina · KRC Genk · Olympique de Marseille · Zakaria El Ouahdi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Facundo Medina is under contract with Marseille until 2030. (multiple sources)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zakaria El Ouahdi is under contract with Genk until 2028. (multiple sources)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zakaria El Ouahdi recorded 12 goals and six assists in 43 league and Europa League appearances last season. (multiple sources)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Bayer Leverkusen are in negotiations with Olympique Marseille for Facundo Medina. (multiple sources)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Marseille demand a minimum transfer fee of €25 million for Facundo Medina. (multiple sources)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Bayer Leverkusen are considering Zakaria El Ouahdi of KRC Genk for the right‑back position. (multiple sources)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Alejandro Grimaldo moved to Atlético Madrid, creating a left‑back vacancy at Bayer Leverkusen. (multiple sources)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Marseille signed Facundo Medina permanently from RC Lens for about €20 million last summer. (multiple sources)