There's a buzz surrounding Olympique de Marseille (OM) as they continue their active engagement in the winter transfer market.
The French club has a number of situations to address, particularly in the offensive and midfield areas. However, the main focus seems to be on the central defense, primarily due to the uncertain future of Leonardo Balerdi.
Tagging along with Samuel Gigot and Chancel Mbemba, Balerdi forms a part of a defensive lineup that OM has shown general satisfaction with. Yet, the club's president, Pablo Longoria, isn't averse to shaking things up given enticing financial offers.
And it's Balerdi who's garnering a lot of attention. Reports from Spain suggest that Atlético Madrid is keeping a close eye on the Argentine defender. Given such interest, the idea of Balerdi being sold in the near future seems increasingly plausible.
Therefore, OM is already making preparations to bring in a new central defender before the transfer period concludes. While specific targets haven't been disclosed, speculation is rife that the new addition could hail from Italy, given Longoria's previous selections.
One such name that's surfaced is Colombian player, Jhon Lucumi, who currently plays for Bologna. Lucumi's talent hasn't gone unnoticed as he's also being considered by OL, Monaco, and Nice, according to Italian reports.
What's clear is that OM's strategic moves in the market are complicating the search for a central defender for other French clubs. OL is particularly affected, finding its plans thwarted by OM's aggressive market activities.