JUST IN: Leeds United are preparing an audacious £20M bid for Argentina international after scouting the ‘exceptional’ Captain
It has not even been 24 hours since Leeds United confirmed their promotion to the Premier League as champions, but The Whites are already said to be preparing a £20m bid.
Leeds’ place in next season’s Premier League has been confirmed for a couple of weeks now, following the 6-0 win over Stoke. But on Saturday, Leeds had to match Burnley’s result to finish top of the table.
They did just that, in injury time – Manor Solomon scoring to make it 2-1. With the season finished, Leeds and Daniel Farke – if he remains in charge – can look at building a squad capable of top-tier survival.
Plenty of players have already been linked with a move to Elland Road over the course of the next few months and a centre-back is likely to be high on Leeds’ agenda. Now, a Marseille player is being linked.
Leeds preparing £20m offer for Marseille star after scouting him
The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports on his Patreon channel that Leeds are preparing a £20m bid to sign Leonardo Balerdi from Marseille. A six-time Argentina international, who only signed a new deal in 2024.
Balerdi has clocked up north of 160 games for Marseille, starring under Roberto De Zerbi this season. He has even captained Marseille this term but ahead of the World Cup, may look to the Premier League.
Leeds have sent scouts to take a look at Balerdi with defence likely to be a priority for the transfer team this summer. Now, The Whites are preparing a £20m bid for Balerdi and the defender could be interested.
Why Roberto De Zerbi is happy Leonardo Balerdi is underrated
De Zerbi has only spent the last 12 months at Marseille, with the Ligue 1 side fighting for second place – currently third but level on points with Monaco. But already, he understands the importance of Balerdi.
Speaking to a press conference in March as per GFFN, De Zerbi said that he was delighted Balerdi is going under the radar with his form – because it meant bigger clubs are yet to consider a move for him.
“Balerdi? I hope that the big European teams don’t realise that he exists. I say every night before going to sleep that I am happy that he is going under the radar of the big teams. He is an extraordinary player.”
However, De Zerbi’s hopes could now be fading as Leeds consider a move to bring the Argentine to the Premier League. If he is ready to give up Champions League football at Marseille, remains to be seen.
