According to TuttoJuve, the Olympique de Marseille leadership is already shaping their strategy for the summer of 2026. The club views that window as a potential opportunity to sell a key talent and secure a record fee.
Marseille resisted several approaches last season and managed to keep most of their important players, with Adrien Rabiot being the only major exception. That choice underlined the club’s ambition, but it also delayed several necessary financial moves.
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Owner Frank McCourt expects strong revenues to support Roberto De Zerbi’s long-term project. The team needs a stronger financial base to match the manager’s ambitions.
A major sale now appears not only possible but also reasonable. The idea of cashing in on a player at peak value has gained momentum within the club’s offices. Among the possible candidates, one name stands out more than the others.
Leonardo Balerdi could become the key to a record fee
Defender Leonardo Balerdi remains a central figure in the current Marseille squad. His development impressed several major European clubs last year, including Juventus.
During the last summer window, Juventus reportedly considered offering around 50 million euros for the Argentine defender. Marseille declined at the time because they wanted to keep stability in the squad and believed Balerdi could still grow.
The situation may shift after the 2026 World Cup. Balerdi will reach an important point in his career and could attract even stronger interest.
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Marseille might decide that the post-tournament window represents the perfect moment to sell. A bid that surpasses the earlier 50-million figure could be difficult to ignore. The club understands that such an offer would provide critical financial support for the future project.
Juventus remains one of the teams following the defender, but their next bid might not match past expectations. The Italian club may only be able to propose around half of the previous amount.
That gap could push Marseille to search for other buyers willing to invest heavily in their captain. Balerdi’s future will depend on the market and on his World Cup performance.
Marseille, however, already views 2026 as a decisive moment. The club wants to strengthen its finances without weakening the squad too early. A major transfer could achieve both goals if the timing proves right.