Key Takeaways:
- Bayer Leverkusen are pursuing Facundo Medina of Marseille to fill the left-back vacancy after Alejandro Grimaldo’s departure to Atlético Madrid
- Marseille have set an asking price of at least €25 million for Medina, who is under contract until 2030 and featured in five World Cup matches for Argentina
- Zakaria El Ouahdi of Genk has become a candidate for the right-back position, having contributed 12 goals and six assists across 43 appearances last season
Transfer Strategy and Left-Back Focus
Bayer Leverkusen have turned their attention to bolstering both full-back positions, with a particular focus on securing Facundo Medina from Marseille as their new left-back. Following Alejandro Grimaldo’s switch to Atlético Madrid, Medina has emerged as the favoured option due to his ability to operate at left-back and as a left-sided centre-half, a skill set reminiscent of Bayer’s former defender, Piero Hincapie.
🚨 Bayer Leverkusen have opened talks with Marseille over the signing of Facundo Medina.
No agreement has been reached yet, with Marseille demanding around €20M for the Argentine defender after signing him from RC Lens last summer.
Leverkusen have admired Medina for some time… pic.twitter.com/CQ6675MAPC
— MatchDay Central (@MatchDCentral) July 27, 2026
The 14-cap Argentina international featured five times in the World Cup, starting three fixtures and later coming off the bench in the tournament final. Marseille, who only completed a permanent move for Medina from RC Lens last summer at a reported cost of €20 million after an initial loan stint, are demanding a minimum of €25 million for the defender. Medina is tied to the French club until 2030, adding a layer of complexity to the negotiation process.
Right-Back Considerations: El Ouahdi’s Attacking Credentials
Attention has also shifted to the right side, where Genk’s Zakaria El Ouahdi stands out as a potential acquisition. The 24-year-old Morocco international, contracted to Genk until 2028, is highly regarded for his offensive output in the Belgian league. Over the course of 43 league and Europa League appearances, El Ouahdi has amassed 12 goals and provided six assists, highlighting his value as an attacking full-back.
Additionally, El Ouahdi has earned four caps for Morocco’s senior national team and was utilised as a substitute during Morocco’s World Cup quarterfinal loss to France. His profile suggests that Leverkusen, pending their final decision at left-back, could seek to complement their defensive setup with a more attack-minded player on the opposite flank.
Potential Tactical Impact and Recruitment Philosophy
Leverkusen’s approach indicates a desire to maintain defensive stability on the left, potentially through Medina’s addition, which could enable them to deploy a more offensively inclined right-back. The final outcome concerning their left-back signing is likely to steer their subsequent moves on the right, reflecting a nuanced recruitment policy as the club seeks to refresh its defensive line-up.
