Marseille Sets High Price Tag for Captain Leonardo Balerdi Amid Roma Interest

Leonardo Balerdi, the 26-year-old captain of Olympique de Marseille, has caught the attention of potential suitors. However, the French club is determined to retain their valuable defender, setting a hefty price tag to ward off interested parties.

Since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund, Balerdi’s performances have been inconsistent. However, under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, he has shown remarkable improvement this season after being awarded the captain’s armband. De Zerbi recently expressed his hope that top European clubs would overlook Balerdi’s talents, preferring to keep the defender’s abilities under wraps.

Despite the manager’s wishes, Balerdi’s impressive form has not gone unnoticed. Italian media reports suggest that AS Roma has shown interest in the Argentine defender, who is allegedly open to the prospect of a move. While initial estimates suggested a transfer fee of around €20 million, Marseille has set a much higher valuation.

According to French sources, Marseille is reluctant to part ways with their captain. If forced to consider a sale, the club would demand a sum in the region of €45 million. This significant price tag reflects Balerdi’s importance to the team and serves as a deterrent to potential buyers. As of now, no formal negotiations have taken place between Roma and Marseille regarding a possible transfer.