What began as a promising exit strategy for Olympique de Marseille has spiraled into financial disappointment as the club’s plans to sell Leonardo Balerdi collapse under unforeseen circumstances. With the Argentine defender’s departure now confirmed behind closed doors, a stunning revelation about a rejected multi-million offer exposes the deep financial shortfall facing the southern French side.
World Cup setback cripples Marseille’s transfer strategy
The club had meticulously crafted a plan to maximize Balerdi’s market value ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, betting on his potential star exposure with the Argentina national team to drive up bids. But fate intervened when the 27-year-old suffered a severe calf injury just before the tournament, forcing him to withdraw and instantly derailing Marseille’s financial projections under club president Pablo Longoria.
Balerdi rejects Bayer Leverkusen’s multi-million euro offer
The disappointment runs deeper still. According to internal club sources, Bayer Leverkusen had tabled a concrete bid in the spring, proposing a €25 million package complete with achievable performance bonuses to secure the Argentine defender’s services. The former Borussia Dortmund player stunned Marseille’s hierarchy by flatly rejecting the German club’s proposal, reportedly unenthused about returning to the Bundesliga.
Market value plummets by €10 million in weeks
Balerdi’s personal decision has had immediate and severe financial repercussions for Marseille. With the World Cup withdrawal followed closely by the rejected bid, the player’s market standing has plummeted within weeks. Faced with the urgent need to balance the books, the club has drastically revised its valuation downward, now settling for a €15 million exit fee—a sharp €10 million drop that stings all the more on the Canebière.
