Facundo Medina close to Leverkusen as Nayef Aguerd and Leonardo Balerdi eye exits at OM | OneFootball

Marseille’s centre-back group is being reshaped, with Facundo Medina close to Bayer Leverkusen and Leonardo Balerdi ready to end a six-season spell. According to L'Équipe, Nayef Aguerd, whose salary is substantial, is also heading for the exit.

A photo from 31 January showed Medina, Aguerd and Balerdi during Paris FC-OM, which finished 2-2 in Ligue 1.

In spring, Leverkusen, via director of football Kim Falkenberg, worked on signing Balerdi for 2026-2027. By late April they tabled an offer that satisfied OM, about €25m plus €5m in bonuses.

Balerdi delayed, wary of a return to Germany after a difficult Dortmund spell before OM brought him in during summer 2020. He told the hierarchy he wanted to focus on the World Cup.

A calf injury in preparation forced him to withdraw from the tournament, and he returned to training on Tuesday at La Commanderie. He has since told the club he wants a new challenge abroad after six intense years in Marseille. A move for Jean-Clair Todibo from West Ham could follow, subject to conditions.

Source: L'Équipe