According to recent reports, Marseille centre-back Leonardo Balerdi could be playing Champions League football with an English club next season. However, the deal could spark some concerns among certain fans.
After all, one of the French team's supporters once went on a hunger strike because he was so unhappy with the Argentine defender. This incident happened in March 2023. Fast forward to the 2025 summer transfer window, and Balerdi could be leaving France to join a Premier League club.
The report comes via the Daily Mail, who report that Newcastle United are 'exploring a move' for the 26-year-old. The defender has been impressing at Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi, sparking interest from Juventus. The Italian side are understood to have a limited budget, though, and may prioritise other targets.
As such, this could have opened up the door for the Magpies. The article notes that Newcastle have sensed an opportunity in the window and are seeing if a deal can be struck around £35m.
Newcastle Linked With Leonardo Balerdi
Fan Once Protested Marseille Defender
While most fans would naturally be excited by any summer arrival, supporters of the Premier League club – who will be playing Champions League football in 2025/26 – may well have some reservations about the deal. Balerdi hasn't always been the most popular figure at Marseille, and things reached a nadir in 2023.
The centre-back, then 24, had been sent off during a 2-2 draw with Strasbourg, leaving Marseille ten points behind PSG in Ligue 1. Aiming his anger at Balerdi, one fan made it clear he wanted the Argentine out in rather dramatic fashion.
He turned up outside the Robert Louis-Dreyfus entertainment centre with a cardboard sign, on which the word "dehors", meaning "out," had been written three times. What's more, the sign also stated that he would be starting a hunger strike to get his way. It continued: "Le peuple Marseilles ne veut plus de toi, respect nous merci." This translates as:
"The people of Marseille don't want you anymore, respect us, thank you".
The angered fan, clearly a bit of a prankster, even managed to trick Nuno Tavares – on loan from Arsenal at the time – into signing a petition to ban the defender from the club. This prompted Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi (also a former Gunner) to confront the protester and say: “Everybody makes mistakes.”
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The fan wouldn't get his way though, and Balerdi has actually gone from strength to strength. Last summer, he was even made first team captain of the French club, after extending his contract by two more years until 2028.
He was key for Marseille last term, playing 27 league games – all as captain – as they finished second in Ligue 1. Evidently, this form has altered a number of big European clubs.
With Newcastle securing Champions League football, depth will be vital going forward. It will be interesting to see if the club's interest in Balerdi goes any further, with that £35m fee already touted. Although Leeds United have also been linked.
Stats via Transfermarkt - as of 02/07/25