Bayer Leverkusen have opened negotiations with Olympique de Marseille for Argentine defender Facundo Medina, though the Bundesliga club must meet a €20 million valuation to secure the transfer.
According to reports from French outlet Le Phocéen, talks between the clubs remain at an early stage and no agreement has been reached for the 27-year-old centre-back. Marseille are unwilling to sell for less than the fee they paid RC Lens to sign Medina permanently last summer following an initial loan spell.
Leverkusen revive long-standing interest
This is not the first time Leverkusen have targeted the Villa Fiorito-born defender. The German side previously attempted to sign Medina during his three-year spell at Lens, where he established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most consistent centre-backs.
Medina has accumulated 164 Ligue 1 appearances across his time at Lens and Marseille, adding ten Champions League matches to his experience. During his single season in the south of France, he made 26 appearances in all competitions, registering one assist despite battling several fitness setbacks that limited his rhythm.
World Cup form boosts appeal
Medina’s stock rose following his performances at the recent World Cup, where he featured for Argentina despite their extra-time defeat to Spain in the final. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni utilised him primarily as a left-back during the tournament, contrasting with his usual centre-back role at club level.
This versatility could prove crucial for Leverkusen, who join Marseille in having missed out on Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. The defender’s ability to operate across the backline offers tactical flexibility as the German club look to reinforce their defensive options.
Valuation and squad connections
Marseille’s insistence on recouping their full €20 million investment reflects their reluctance to lose the player cheaply after just one season. The French club have no intention of sanctioning a cut-price departure despite Medina’s injury-disrupted campaign.
Should the move materialise, Medina would join compatriot Exequiel Palacios in the Leverkusen squad. The midfielder, who was recently linked with a separate move to RB Leipzig, could help facilitate Medina’s adaptation to German football if the negotiations reach a successful conclusion.