Marseille ward off Leonardo Balerdi suitors | OneFootball

According to Téléfoot, Leonardo Balerdi (25) will not be sold this month. The Argentinian international has been deemed nontransferable by Olympique de Marseille, despite garnering interest in recent days.

Balerdi has been derided at times for his performances at Marseille, with one fan even going on a hunger strike and promising not to break it until the defender was sold. However, the Argentine has turned things around at the Vélodrome and has become a key figure in Gennaro Gattuso’s three-man defence.

This season, the Argentinian has made 22 appearances in all competitions, and he has two goals, including a long-range finish against AS Monaco on Saturday, which secured a point with Les Phocéens. Balerdi’s nontransferable status is a signal of his importance in this OM side.

Balerdi had been linked with a Premier League move in the summer by Foot Mercato, whilst interest had been growing as the end of the transfer window approached. Ultimately, however, Balerdi will remain at the Vélodrome, at least until the end of the season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle