Officially, Leo Balerdi is untouchable. Designated captain, a cloakroom leader, symbol of the stability that Olympique de Marseille seeks to approach the Champions League. Internally, it is even said that no offer below 40 million euros will be watched. However, to look more closely, the speech is more and more like a facade strategy.
OM built … perhaps preparing a sale
The defensive site of the Marseille transfer window is immense. Facundo Medina, Nayef Aguerd, Ramy Bensebaini … So many ambitious, expensive tracks, and not necessarily compatible with an absolute desire to keep Balerdi. How can we believe that OM can afford three luxury recruits without a major sale to balance? Behind the scenes, some evoke a possible rocking if a sufficient offer arrives.
In reality, the “intransferable” label could above all be used to increase the auctions. The clubs interested (notably from England) know that OM is on the lookout for liquidity. And firm communication around Balerdi would hide the need to sell, so as not to appear weakened on other files. This kind of strategy, classic during the transfer window, should not be ruled out.
“Intransferable”? The strange speech around Leo Balerdi
The sale of Balerdi would change the situation
If he came to leave, Balerdi would leave a vacuum in a hinge in reconstruction. This would profoundly modify the plan of Zerbi, who wishes to return to a defense of four. Who to accompany or replace it? Medina and Aguerd are followed, but their profiles differ. And defensive automatisms will take time to set up, especially on the eve of a season with C1.
In the end, OM could sell Balerdi while claiming that they did not consider it. The “Intox” would then be used to protect the club with regard to supporters, while preparing finances for a crucial summer. An increasingly credible scenario over rumors. What if the real surprise of the transfer window… was it out?
