Atlético Madrid is looking to strengthen its squad during the winter transfer window and has placed Leonardo Balerdi, the defender from Marseille, at the top of its priorities to reinforce a defense line that urgently needs depth, according to the website "Fichajes."

At 26 years old, Balerdi is considered one of the top defenders in the French league. He is known for his maturity, consistency, and tactical discipline, and plays a leadership role within Marseille. With a contract extending until 2028, negotiating his transfer presents a significant challenge.

Atlético Madrid intends to make an offer of around 25 million euros, a figure close to the amount the French club is asking for to enter negotiations. The Spanish club aims through this deal to strengthen competition within the defense and provide more reliable rotation options during a busy match schedule, especially when facing the challenges of La Liga and the Champions League.

Bellerdi is experiencing the best period of his football career, having accumulated significant playing time with Marseille and participated in 15 matches this season, reflecting his reliability and ability to handle responsibility in major games. The player also believes that moving to Atlético Madrid will give him a greater opportunity to regularly feature for the Argentine national team and prepare for the 2026 World Cup, as well as enhance his competitive level on the European stage.

Major clubs such as Juventus, Newcastle, Inter, and Milan had shown interest in the player, but Atlético Madrid is considered the closest to completing the deal thanks to a clear sporting plan and a serious financial offer, making them the most suitable choice to add the needed depth to the defensive line.

This move is considered a strategic opportunity for the Spanish club to strengthen its defense and achieve the desired balance under the leadership of coach Diego Simeone, with a focus on speed, game intelligence, and the ability to compete at the highest levels.