Leeds United targets Marseille's Balerdi for £20m transfer

Leeds United, after securing promotion to the Premier League with a record-breaking 100-point season under Daniel Farke, are actively planning squad reinforcements and have identified Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi as a top summer transfer target. Scouts have visited France to assess Balerdi, and a formal offer is reportedly being prepared, though Marseille's potential Champions League qualification could complicate the move. Balerdi, a regular starter and captain at Marseille, is valued at around £20 million and may be interested in a Premier League opportunity at this stage in his career. Meanwhile, speculation over the managerial position continues; despite Farke's success, the club's owners are considering alternatives, including Jose Mourinho, who has expressed openness to returning to England with a club outside the top six. Other managerial candidates linked to Leeds include Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Davide Ancelotti, though fan support for Farke remains strong following the promotion campaign.