Exclusive: Newcastle Line Up £25m Bid for Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi

Newcastle United are lining up a bid to sign sought-after Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi for £25million, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The 26-year-old Argentina international centre-back is understood to be wanted by both Atlético de Madrid and Juventus.

And promoted Leeds United have also been linked the eight-cap international, who has been one of Marseille’s best players during the past few seasons.

But our sources have discovered Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is close to tabling a bid for the former Borussia Dortmund man ahead of the start of the new Premier League season next month.

Balerdi is under contract until 2028 with Ligue 1 side Marseille, but the Magpies hope they can tempt him with his first taste of English football.

He initially joined Marseille in July 2020 on a season-long loan deal with an option for the French club to buy him for £13million.

A year later they did exactly that as Balerdi signed a five-year contract with the club and extended that by a further two years.

But Marseille are believed to be open to big-money offers for the defender, even though they have fended off interest for the last 12 months for his signature.

SLOW SUMMER WINDOW

Newcastle are understood to be close to completing the signing of winger Anthony Elanga in a £55million deal from Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest.

But Howe is keen to strengthen in defence as the club look to build on last season’s promising fifth place and impressive EFL Trophy-winning triumph.

So far Howe has signed promising 18-year-old winger Antonito Cordero on a free transfer, but business has otherwise been slow at St. James’ Park this summer.

Balerdi played 33 games for Marseille last season as the club finished second under former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.

He has spent four season at the Stade Velodrome and played a total of 164 games for the club.