Sky: Marseille resistance as Juventus make contact for Balerdi

According to Sky Sport Italia, Juventus have made contact with Olympique Marseille for Leonardo Balerdi, but the Ligue 1 side, coached by Roberto De Zerbi, are unwilling to sell the 26-year-old.

Juventus are interested in signing Marseille defender Balerdi, but the French club is reportedly not open to discussing a sale this summer.

Sky: Marseille unwilling to discuss Balerdi’s Juventus transfer

Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio claims Juventus called Marseille to sound out the defender’s availability, but found no willingness to negotiate a transfer.

The Serie A giants are on the lookout for a new centre-back as they want to restore solidity in defence, especially because Gleison Bremer is recovering from a knee injury sustained in October last year.

Balerdi already played under Tudor

Balerdi has collected 164 appearances in five years in Marseille, becoming the team’s captain.

Balerdi is under contract with Marseille until June 2028.

The Argentine played 44 matches under Igor Tudor at the Stade Velodrome, scoring one goal.

New Juventus General Manager Damien Comolli confirmed on Tuesday that Tudor would remain in charge of the team beyond the Club World Cup and for the entire 2025-26 campaign.

What Comolli said about Juventus’ new strategy

“I would like to hire a sporting director who will handle transfers and management, be involved in the transfer market, and focus on the youth sector, reporting directly to me,” Comolli said.

“I have a person in mind, it is a process, but we don’t want to rush. Once the structure is decided, we will also determine the personnel.

“We will also have a technical director, also reporting to me.”

Click here for his whole press conference, including Juventus transfers, Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani.