Juventus Renew Interest in Leonardo Balerdi Amid European Competition

Juventus are ready to go back in for Leonardo Balerdi. This time, they know they won’t be alone.

The Argentine defender has been on their list since the summer of 2025, when the Turin club made a concrete push to bring him to Serie A. That move never got off the ground. Olympique Marseille slammed the door, kept hold of their centre-back and left Juventus to move on to other targets.

Now the landscape is shifting.

Marseille open the door

At the end of the current season, Marseille are understood to be willing to listen to offers for Balerdi. That single change has immediately revived Juventus’ interest and prompted fresh planning in Turin for another approach.

Inside the club, the development is seen as a genuine opportunity. Juventus are expected to return to the table in the next transfer window, convinced that the timing is finally on their side.

But the market around Balerdi has changed as well.

A wider European race

What looked like a relatively controlled chase in 2025 has turned into a crowded field. Several clubs across Europe are now tracking the defender’s situation closely, raising the level of difficulty for any deal.

According to Tuttojuve, Roma and Atlético Madrid are among the teams now in the frame. Both clubs are assessing Balerdi as they look to reinforce their back lines and are monitoring his availability with a view to a possible move away from Marseille.

The pressure around the player is building. One misstep in negotiations, and a rival could pounce.

Juventus lean on relationships – and wait on the player

Juventus still intend to push hard. They remain confident that their established relationship with Marseille can work in their favour once talks begin. The Bianconeri believe that existing lines of communication might smooth discussions and give them a small but important edge.

That alone will not be enough.

The decisive factor is expected to be Balerdi himself. The defender’s own choice is likely to carry significant weight, with his personal assessment of each project shaping the direction of the saga more than any single club-to-club agreement.

For Juventus, that means selling not just a contract, but a vision: their plans for the squad, his role in it, and the trajectory of the team over the coming seasons.

Balancing the books in Turin

There is another layer to Juventus’ pursuit. Any formal move for Balerdi will have to be balanced against their own summer reshuffle.

The club are expected to manage outgoings carefully, with potential player sales needed before they can commit fully to a deal. Only once space is created – on the pitch and on the wage bill – will a concrete offer become realistic.

So the race for Balerdi is set: Marseille ready to listen, Juventus eager to return, Roma and Atlético Madrid lurking. The next step belongs to the defender. Where does he see the next chapter of his career?