Leeds United could be ready to smash their transfer record on Leonardo Balerdi this summer. But Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi may have other plans.
Leeds United look set to spend big this summer. There’s reports of some huge potential signings at Elland Road this summer and it seems likely that we’ll see Leeds United’s club record transfer smashed.
It remains the £35.5million signing of Georginio Rutter in 2023. But Argentina and Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi could eclipse that total with a rumoured price tag of £38million for the 26-year-old.
Balerdi has just enjoyed a stellar season in Ligue 1 with Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille who look set to achieve a 2nd place finish in the French top tier. Next season, it could be Champions League football for Les Olympiens, and Balerdi looks to be at the fore of their plans.
Roberto De Zerbi echoes Marseille’s stance on Leeds United target Leonardo Balerdi
Recent reports have suggested Marseille’s stance on Balerdi. It’s been claimed that the French club want to keep the centre-back for next season when they’ll likely be competing in the Champions League, and manager Roberto De Zerbi has just echoed that stance in his latest press conference.
The former Brighton boss was asked about the situation regarding Balerdi. He told the club: “There’s the president and the sporting director. They’re the ones best placed to answer that. The aim is to get stronger. We weren’t playing in Europe this season, so we had to achieve our objective, it was vital. After the season, we’ll see how we can strengthen the team. Leo is a pillar of the squad.”
Balerdi, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, has featured 26 times in Ligue 1 this season, which is his fifth season with the club.
The latest on Leeds United’s search for a new centre-back
Whilst Leeds have been linked with a horde of potential new signings this summer, ahead of the summer transfer window opening on June 1st, there’s been a distinct lack of centre-backs linked.
Balerdi is one of just two concrete links since the end of the season. The other being John Lucumi who’s linked with Leeds United, and who’s just won the Coppa Italia with Bologna.
Instead, Farke looks as though he’s focused on the full-back department and the striker department, with both positions looking perilously low on numbers ahead of the summer.
There’s still plenty of time for Leeds United to bolster. But Farke needs to act quickly in order to avoid rushing around towards the end of the summer.
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