Leonardo Balerdi Rejected €30M Bayer Leverkusen Move Because He Doesn't Like Germany

Former Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia has revealed that Bayer Leverkusen made an offer worth up to €30 million for Leonardo Balerdi in summer 2025, only for the Argentine defender to reject the transfer.

Speaking on Canal+'s Menu Latour, Benatia explained that Leverkusen had offered €25 million plus €5 million in bonuses for the centre-back, who was preparing for the 2026 World Cup.

However, Balerdi had no interest in moving to the Bundesliga.

The defender subsequently suffered a calf injury that ruled him out of the tournament, before eventually leaving Marseille for AS Roma in summer 2026.

Leverkusen Had Identified Balerdi As A Defensive Reinforcement

The revelation provides an interesting insight into Die Werkself's recruitment strategy following their historic Bundesliga title-winning era.

Balerdi was an established Ligue 1 defender and Marseille captain, offering a profile well suited to a team seeking to maintain its defensive standards while undergoing significant changes.

Comfortable defending on the front foot, the Argentine has experience operating in a back three and can step out of the defensive line to engage opponents between the lines.

Those qualities would have made him a plausible fit at Leverkusen, particularly as the club assessed how to rebuild its defensive department following the departures of several important players.

At €25 million plus bonuses, the proposed investment also reflected a willingness to spend substantial money on an experienced defender rather than concentrating exclusively on younger prospects.

However, the player's preference ultimately made the negotiations irrelevant.

Balerdi's World Cup Decision Backfired

According to Benatia, Balerdi was reluctant to change clubs so close to the World Cup, prioritising continuity and his prospects of representing Argentina.

It was an understandable consideration. A transfer to another league, particularly one involving different tactical demands and competition for places, could have disrupted his preparations during an important international year.

But his subsequent calf injury meant that staying at Marseille did not produce the outcome he had hoped for.

The decision looks unfortunate in hindsight, although it would be unfair to suggest that moving to Leverkusen would necessarily have prevented the injury.

The more significant consequence was financial.

Marseille ultimately loaned Balerdi to Roma in August 2026, with reports indicating a purchase option considerably below the €30 million package Die Werkself had previously offered.

For the French club, rejecting that opportunity proved costly, even if the final decision belonged to the player.

Leverkusen Ultimately Took A Different Direction

The Bundesliga side eventually reshaped its defence through other signings, with Jarell Quansah and Facundo Medina becoming part of the squad's new defensive structure.

In that respect, missing out on Balerdi did not prevent Bayer from addressing the position.

There is also an argument that the outcome allowed Leverkusen to pursue a different defensive profile, rather than committing up to €30 million to a player who was never enthusiastic about joining.

Balerdi's qualities may have appealed to the club, but convincing a player to embrace the project is just as important as identifying the right tactical fit.

Benatia's comments confirm that Simon Rolfes and the club were prepared to make a serious investment. They also underline why the transfer never materialised.