Borussia Dortmund defender Leonardo Balerdi reportedly wanted by Marseille
By Tushar Bahl
Leonardo Balerdi could leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, with French side Olympique Marseille looking to sign him.
According to L’Equipe, Leonardo Balerdi is a target for Marseille head coach André Villas-Boas, as he looks to bolster his side’s defence. But since the French side is currently struggling with financial issues, they are said to be interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund defender on loan with an option to buy.
Balerdi joined Borussia Dortmund in January 2019 from Boca Juniors for a fee of 15.5 million euros, but has failed to assert himself into Lucien Favre’s plans so far. He has been limited to just eight appearances for the senior team, with his only start coming in the 4-0 defeat to Hoffenheim on the final day of the season.
It remains to be seen if the Black and Yellows would be willing to part with Balerdi, especially considering that they aren’t expected to make any more signings unless Jadon Sancho departs. But even if Balerdi does leave, Borussia Dortmund have enough depth at centre-back to make do without him in the coming season, with Emre Can and Lukasz Piszczek both capable of playing there.
Balerdi is not the only player being linked with a Borussia Dortmund exit. According to SportBILD, the BVB bosses are looking to reduce their wage bill ahead of next season. Manuel Akanji, Nico Schulz, Mahmoud Dahoud and Thomas Delaney are being mentioned as the four players who could possibly leave the club as a result.
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Meanwhile, BILD claim that Andre Schürrle, who spent last season on loan with Spartak Moscow, is available for a cut price fee of just 2 million euros.