The 27-year-old, who featured for Argentina in the World Cup final, has become a primary target for the Bundesliga champions. Talks between the German and French clubs are already underway, though no agreement has been reached for the versatile defender.

Versatile defensive reinforcement

Medina offers valuable flexibility across the backline. He is capable of playing at centre-back but can also operate as a left-back, giving manager Xabi Alonso options in both central and wide defensive areas.

Despite only recently joining Marseille, the defender has quickly attracted attention following his performances at club and international level. His composure on the ball and defensive versatility align with Leverkusen’s tactical requirements as they prepare to defend their Bundesliga title.

The potential addition of Medina would provide crucial depth for Leverkusen, who face the challenge of competing on multiple fronts in the coming campaign. His experience at the highest level, including World Cup football, would bolster a squad looking to maintain its domestic dominance.

Right-side alternatives

Separately, Leverkusen continue to monitor KRC Genk full-back Zakaria El Ouahdi. The Moroccan international is under consideration as the club explores ways to strengthen the right side of their defence.

El Ouahdi has been on the club’s radar for some time and remains a realistic target should they decide to add another full-back before the transfer window closes. Unlike the Medina situation, this remains at the monitoring stage rather than active negotiation.

The Bundesliga champions are taking a thorough approach to their summer recruitment, assessing multiple options to ensure adequate cover across all defensive positions. With pre-season preparations underway, finalising these deals has become a priority for the club’s hierarchy.

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.

The French full-back developed through the FC Metz academy before moving to Germany in the summer of 2022. During his time at Hamburg, he gradually established himself as a key member of the squad after initially arriving as backup. Last season proved particularly productive, with the defender making 26 appearances in the Bundesliga, 15 of those as a starter. He adapted to a more attacking role, contributing four assists in the league.

Valencia Make Their Move

Valencia have acted quickly to secure his signature, tabling a formal proposal for the former France Under-20 international. According to L’Équipe, the Spanish club have offered him a contract, though the player has not yet responded to their approach. This delay suggests Mikelbrencis is considering his options carefully before committing to his next destination.

Ligue 1 Interest Remains

OGC Nice are also monitoring the situation closely. The Ligue 1 side hold a firm interest in the Forbach-born defender, though they face practical obstacles in completing a deal. Nice must first trim their current squad before they can register any new signings, which may delay any potential offer.

Earlier in the transfer window, Mikelbrencis was linked with a move to Olympique de Marseille. However, those reports did not result in a concrete agreement, leaving the path clear for Valencia or Nice to secure his services.

Career Crossroads

With seven caps for France’s Under-20 side to his name, Mikelbrencis now faces a significant decision in his career. A move to Valencia would see him test himself in La Liga, while waiting for Nice could offer a return to French football. Either destination would provide the regular first-team football he enjoyed during his final season in Germany.

The coming days are likely to prove decisive as the defender evaluates the terms on offer from Spain against the possibility of alternative proposals.

• Former Chelsea and France defender shares exclusive thoughts on the Ligue 1 club’s crisis
• Manager Habib Beye appears close to leaving after a difficult period
• Leboeuf insists the squad needs peace, clear identity and united direction
• The French legend believes Marseille can still progress despite Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance

Former Chelsea defender Franck Leboeuf has urged Olympique de Marseille to find their spark again. The French legend gave an exclusive interview about his old club. He says the team must end the current chaos and work together.

The season finished with problems both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Leboeuf wants the club to stay calm under new leadership. He admits that Marseille cannot overcome Paris Saint-Germain in the title race. However, he points to RC Lens as a good example. Lens reached the Champions League and won cups without huge resources.

The ex-Chelsea star believes Marseille needs peace in every area of the club. The squad has quality players, and nobody is guilty alone. But everyone must share the same vision to grow. The team requires a clear style of play and better communication.

Leboeuf previously supported Habib Beye for the manager’s job. Now he accepts the appointment did not work. Marseille is a very complicated club to manage. Many factors caused problems during Beye’s time. The club looks ready to part ways with the manager. Still, Leboeuf sees hope for a positive future if the club finds stability.

• Both Fenerbahce presidential candidates want to sign Mason Greenwood from Marseille
• Marseille’s new sporting director confirmed the French club will accept offers for the striker
• Greenwood has three years remaining on his contract after signing in July 2024
• The Turkish club will elect a new president on Sunday
• Agreement on personal terms is expected to be straightforward if a deal proceeds

The race to become the next president of Fenerbahce has become a contest over who can secure the signature of Mason Greenwood.

Both candidates competing for the leadership of the Turkish club have named the English forward as their number one priority for the transfer window. Former president Aziz Yildirim and his rival Hakan Safi will discover who has won the election this Sunday.

Greenwood currently plays for Olympique de Marseille in France. The club’s new sporting director, Gregory Lorenzi, stated last week that Marseille would accept offers for the player. Greenwood only moved to France in July 2024, but he still has three years left on his five-year contract.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a successful spell in Ligue 1, scoring 48 goals in 81 appearances. He netted 16 league goals this season, finishing as joint second-highest scorer behind Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul. His form has attracted attention from several clubs, including Italian side Roma.

Fenerbahce finished second in the Turkish Super Lig for the fifth consecutive season. This result means they will compete in the second qualifying round of the Champions League when the competition begins in July.

Greenwood left Manchester United permanently in 2024 after the club conducted an internal investigation. Police had previously dropped charges against him in February 2023. When United sold him to Marseille for 31.6 million euros, they included a large sell-on fee clause in the agreement.

• Nayef Aguerd may leave Olympique de Marseille during the next transfer window
• Several clubs from the Gulf region are monitoring the Moroccan centre-back
• Marseille must sell players after failing to reach the Champions League
• The defender has battled constant injuries since his €23m move from West Ham United
• His contract runs until 2030 but the club urgently needs to raise money

Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd could depart Olympique de Marseille this summer. Several clubs from the Gulf region want to sign the 30-year-old centre-back.

The player joined Marseille from West Ham United last year. The French club paid €23 million for the transfer. They also gave him a high salary. Sadly, he has not met their expectations.

Aguerd has spent much of this season dealing with fitness problems. He started 21 games out of 22 matches in all competitions. These injury issues have limited his time on the pitch.

Marseille failed to qualify for the Champions League. This result has caused serious money problems for the club. They must now sell players to improve their financial situation.

Aguerd might leave to help the club raise cash. His contract runs until 2030, but the Kenitra-born defender could still exit.

• Grégory Lorenzi departs after ten years to join Olympique de Marseille
• Head coach Eric Roy demands guarantees about his future at the club
• Owners value the French side at €60 million in current market
• Club rose from Ligue 2 to the UEFA Champions League under Lorenzi’s guidance
• Brest have secured midtable finishes despite operating on limited funds

Stade Brestois face a period of major uncertainty. The Ligue 1 club has lost its sporting director following a decade of service. Grégory Lorenzi guided the team from the second tier to the UEFA Champions League during his time at the Stade Francis-Le Blé.

Lorenzi has now moved to Olympique de Marseille. He began his new role in the south of France earlier this week. His exit leaves a significant gap in the club’s leadership structure.

There are also doubts surrounding the future of head coach Eric Roy. When reporters questioned him about his position earlier this month, he avoided giving a clear answer. The manager stated that he requires specific guarantees before he can commit to remaining at the club.

According to journalist Romain Molina, the club is not hurrying to appoint a replacement for Lorenzi. This delay occurs because the owners wish to sell the team. Molina reports that the asking price stands at €60 million. This figure could discourage potential buyers from making an offer.

The club has performed well on a modest budget recently. They have maintained their position in the middle of the Ligue 1 table for the past two campaigns.

• AS Roma have identified Mason Greenwood as their primary attacking target for the summer window
• The Italian club have reportedly contacted the player’s father over a potential switch to the Stadio Olimpico
• Marseille may need to sell the forward before June 30 to meet French financial regulations
• Manchester United could receive a significant payment due to a sell-on clause from Greenwood’s original transfer

AS Roma are preparing to make a summer bid for Mason Greenwood following the forward’s impressive spell in France. The Serie A giants view the 24-year-old as the ideal candidate to bolster Gian Piero Gasperini’s offensive options ahead of next season.

Italian media outlets including La Gazzetta dello Sport claim the Giallorossi have already opened discussions with the player’s family. Roma hope Greenwood will follow the path of Donyell Malen, who has thrived at the Stadio Olimpico since his January arrival from the Premier League.

Marseille face pressure to offload talent before the end of June to satisfy French financial fair play requirements. The Ligue 1 outfit paid Manchester United €26 million to secure Greenwood’s services two years ago, and they now demand between €50 million and €60 million for his signature.

Should Roma meet this valuation, Manchester United would benefit from a substantial sell-on clause inserted in the original transfer agreement. This would provide the Premier League club with a welcome financial windfall without the player ever returning to Old Trafford.

• New Marseille sporting director Grégory Lorenzi confirms the club will consider offers for Mason Greenwood.
• AS Roma are reportedly in advanced talks to sign the 24-year-old forward.
• Marseille have set an asking price of €55 million for the England-born player.
• The French club needs to sell players to avoid financial sanctions from the DNCG and UEFA.

Grégory Lorenzi, who recently became the sporting director at Olympique de Marseille, has admitted that the club is ready to sell forward Mason Greenwood during the current transfer window. The 24-year-old joined the French side two seasons ago but now looks set for a move away.

Lorenzi spoke to the French newspaper L’Équipe shortly after starting his new role on Thursday. He explained that Greenwood is one of several players whose future the club is reviewing carefully. The director stated that if a suitable offer arrives, they will consider it seriously, but they must also respect the player’s wishes.

Reports from Italy suggest that AS Roma are close to securing a deal for Greenwood. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the player’s father, who manages his affairs, has already agreed to the transfer. Gian Piero Gasperini, the new head coach at Roma, is reportedly planning to phone Greenwood personally to discuss his plans for the team.

Marseille value the forward at around €55 million. The club must raise money through player sales to meet financial fair play rules and avoid penalties from French football authorities and UEFA.

• Grégory Lorenzi joins Olympique de Marseille after spending ten years at Stade Brestois 29
• The 42-year-old replaces Medhi Benatia as the club’s sporting director
• Lorenzi had initially agreed to move to OGC Nice before Marseille intervened
• The French side will compete in the Europa League following a disappointing league campaign
• Current head coach Habib Beye faces an uncertain future at the Stade Vélodrome

Olympique de Marseille have confirmed Grégory Lorenzi as their new sporting director. The Ligue 1 club announced the appointment on Thursday.

Lorenzi leaves Stade Brestois 29 after a successful decade-long spell. During his time with the Breton club, he helped them rise from Ligue 2 to the Champions League.

The 42-year-old had originally planned to join OGC Nice. However, Marseille persuaded him to lead their sporting department instead.

Lorenzi now faces a major challenge at one of France’s most unstable clubs. Marseille finished outside the European qualification places and will play in the Europa League next season. They failed to secure a spot in the Champions League.

“OM are a historic club, very special, very popular, very exciting,” Lorenzi told L’Equipe. “We must find the right balance between our sporting goals and our economic reality.”

The future of head coach Habib Beye remains unclear. Reports suggest the former Newcastle United defender will leave the club. Marseille are reportedly targeting Bruno Genesio, who is departing Lille, as his replacement.