What started as a promising transfer saga for Olympique de Marseille has spiraled into a financial setback, with Leonardo Balerdi’s refusal to leave overshadowing the club’s summer ambitions. The Argentine defender’s stubborn stance, combined with a last-minute injury, has left the French outfit facing a staggering loss in potential revenue.
Up to €100 in cash back on your first bet!
Injury derails Marseille’s World Cup revenue plan
After mutual agreement on a parting of ways, Olympique de Marseille pinned their financial hopes on one key factor: the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Club executives believed the defender’s exposure in the Albiceleste shirt would drive up his market value, making him a prime target for top-tier European clubs. However, fate intervened just before the tournament’s announcement. A severe calf injury sidelined Balerdi, forcing him to withdraw and shattering the club’s carefully laid financial projections.
Balerdi snubs Leverkusen’s €25 million offer
The blow was compounded by Balerdi’s outright rejection of an unexpected lifeline. Sources close to the deal reveal that Bayer Leverkusen tabled a €25 million bid in the spring, complete with performance-based bonuses that could have pushed the total beyond €30 million. The German side’s proposal was both substantial and enticing, yet the Argentine defender dismissed it without hesitation, citing reluctance to return to the Bundesliga.
Market value plummets, leaving Marseille with a €10 million loss
Balerdi’s dual decision—rejecting Leverkusen’s offer and missing the World Cup—sent shockwaves through Marseille’s transfer strategy. The club’s valuation of their defender crumbled overnight, forcing executives to slash their asking price by a staggering €10 million. Where once they hoped for €25 million, the club now scrambles to secure just €15 million. In an era where every euro counts, this financial misstep has left Marseille’s financial team scrambling for solutions.
