Leonardo Balerdi rejects Bayer Leverkusen transfer from Marseille

Leonardo Balerdi has declined a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen from Olympique de Marseille. The Bundesliga club made a bid exceeding €25 million earlier this spring, but Balerdi was not interested in the move. Marseille is seeking to bolster their finances this summer after averting exclusion from European competition, contingent on addressing financial issues. Balerdi, who has been sidelined by a calf injury, will not participate in the FIFA World Cup with Argentina, which could delay any potential transfer. The club may still look to sell him following the tournament.

• 9:00 AMYahoo Sports — Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi turned down Bayer Leverkusen move