Olympique de Marseille likely to retain defender Leonardo Balerdi amid stalled transfer

Leonardo Balerdi, the Argentine centre‑back under contract with Olympique de Marseille until June 2028, remains on the club’s books for another season. Juventus showed interest last winter, but Marseille rejected a mid‑season sale. Balerdi’s recent form has been hampered by chronic injuries and a missed World Cup due to a pre‑tournament injury, reducing his market appeal. The club, hoping to offload his wages and generate a profit after six seasons, now faces a less favourable market and may be forced to keep him for the 2025‑2026 campaign.

Former Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet revealed that he almost left the club in 2014 after a difficult start, but coach Marcelo Bielsa vetoed the transfer. Bielsa’s decision gave Payet a chance to revive his career, eventually becoming a key player for the team. Payet’s story highlights the impact of coaching decisions on player trajectories at the club.