Leonardo Balerdi: Roma accelerate move for Marseille defender

Leonardo Balerdi could leave Olympique Marseille for AS Roma, a move that would give the French club another opportunity to raise funds before the transfer window closes. Marseille still need sales to rebalance their finances and create more room for recruitment, putting the defender among the players whose futures are being considered in the final days of the market.

Roma have increased their efforts to sign Balerdi and have already reached an agreement with the player. Negotiations with Marseille have begun over a loan deal that would include an obligatory purchase. The proposed structure would allow the Italian club to take Balerdi initially on loan, with a permanent transfer required if the agreed conditions are met. Discussions between the clubs are continuing, and no completed transfer has been established.

Balerdi is 27 and plays at centre-back. He holds Argentine and Italian citizenship and has made 11 appearances for Argentina. Marseille signed him from Borussia Dortmund in the 2020-21 season after he had previously moved from Boca Juniors to Dortmund in 2018-19. His current market value is listed at €18 million.

A departure would give Marseille additional financial flexibility alongside their wider efforts to sell players before the window shuts. Balerdi’s exit could therefore serve both Roma’s defensive recruitment and Marseille’s need for liquidity, but the clubs must still resolve the terms of the proposed loan and compulsory purchase arrangement.