The love story between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi is drawing to a close, but the final chapters are proving costly for the club’s financial health. Behind the scenes, the transfer of the central defender has turned into a financial headache for Marseille, with revelations exposing a massive missed opportunity that has left the club’s coffers lighter than anticipated.
World Cup dreams shattered by injury
Marseille had carefully orchestrated Balerdi’s exit strategy, banking on his potential exposure at the 2026 World Cup to drive up his price tag. However, fate intervened just as the Argentine was set to shine on the global stage. A severe calf injury forced him to withdraw from the tournament, instantly derailing the club’s revenue expectations and leaving the transfer market in disarray.
Balerdi snubs Leverkusen’s €25m offer
The financial blow only worsened when reports emerged of a lucrative offer from Bayer Leverkusen in the spring. The Bundesliga side had tabled a firm bid of €25 million, complete with performance-related bonuses, to secure the defender’s signature. Astonishingly, Balerdi himself rejected the proposal outright, unwilling to return to the Bundesliga after his previous stint with Borussia Dortmund.
Marseille’s valuation plummets by €10m
Balerdi’s refusal, combined with his injury setback, sent his market value into freefall. Realizing the harsh reality of the transfer landscape, Marseille had no choice but to slash their asking price drastically. Where once €25 million seemed within reach, the club now finds itself scrambling for a deal worth just €15 million—a steep €10 million drop that underscores the club’s financial strain.
