Juventus Revives Interest in Balerdi as European Rivals Join Race

Juventus never really took their eyes off Leonardo Balerdi. They tried to prise him away from Olympique Marseille in the summer of 2025, pushing for a deal that would have brought the defender to Turin. Marseille shut the door. Balerdi stayed put.

Now that door is no longer locked.

Marseille open the window – and Juve return

At the end of the current season, Marseille are understood to be ready to listen to offers for Balerdi. That single shift has immediately dragged Juventus back into the frame and given fresh life to a pursuit that had stalled a year ago.

Inside the club, the news is seen as an opening they cannot ignore. The plan is clear: revisit the talks in the next transfer window and test Marseille’s new stance with a renewed approach.

This time, though, the landscape has changed.

A wider market, tougher race

Juventus are no longer alone. Across Europe, clubs have started to track Balerdi’s situation, turning what was once a relatively contained negotiation into a full-scale race.

According to Tuttojuve, Roma and Atlético Madrid are among the sides now weighing up a move. Both clubs are monitoring him as they look to reinforce their back lines, ready to step in if Marseille’s asking price and the player’s demands fall into the right bracket.

The pressure around the deal has increased. What might have been a straightforward second attempt now looks like a battle on several fronts.

Juve banking on relationships – and timing

Juventus still believe they hold a card that matters: their existing relationship with Marseille. Previous talks, even unsuccessful ones, have created a channel of communication that the Bianconeri hope can smooth negotiations and keep them near the front of the queue.

That alone will not be enough. Juve also have to juggle their own squad planning. Any serious move for Balerdi is likely to depend on outgoing transfers, with sales potentially required before they can commit to a formal offer. The timing of those departures could prove decisive in a market where hesitation is punished.

Balerdi’s call

For all the maneuvering between clubs, the key figure is still Balerdi himself. His choice is expected to carry significant weight in how this saga unfolds.

He will not simply be passed from one boardroom to another. His evaluation of the projects on offer – style of play, role in the squad, competitive ambitions – is set to shape the final outcome.

Juventus want him. Roma and Atlético Madrid are watching closely. Marseille are finally ready to talk.

The next move belongs to the defender who now holds several of Europe’s most intriguing doors in front of him.