Headline: Bayer Leverkusen Signs Facundo Medina, Faces Competition for Moussa Diaby
Bayer Leverkusen has officially signed Argentina international Facundo Medina from Olympique Marseille, marking a significant addition to their squad. The 27-year-old Medina has committed to a long-term contract that extends until June 2031.
As reported by Kicker, Leverkusen will pay approximately €20 million to Marseille for the left-footed defender, with potential bonuses that could increase the final amount. Medina’s arrival comes as part of Leverkusen’s effort to rebuild their team following Alejandro Grimaldo’s transfer to Atlético Madrid.
Medina Adds World Cup Experience to Leverkusen
Medina is versatile, capable of playing either centrally or on the left side of the defense, offering new head coach Carles Martinez a different playing style compared to **summer arrival Miguel Gutiérrez**. Gutiérrez is a more attack-focused player who can provide width, while Medina brings physicality, defensive strength, and the ability to adapt within a back three.
Having spent five years in French football, initially with RC Lens before moving to Marseille in 2025, Medina participated in the most recent World Cup, making three appearances and coming off the bench during the 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain.
He joins fellow countryman Exequiel Palacios at Leverkusen, adding depth in World Cup experience to the team. Medina revealed that during discussions with Palacios at the World Cup, he received positive feedback about the club, influencing his decision to join.
“With Facundo Medina, we have signed a very experienced professional who will immediately become an important part of our team through his quality and strong mentality,” Rolfes said. “He is strong in the tackle: assertive and aggressive. Facundo’s qualities add an important element to the profile of our squad.”
Competition Grows for Moussa Diaby
While the Medina signing is complete, Leverkusen’s efforts to re-sign Moussa Diaby are now facing renewed competition from Inter Milan. Earlier reports from **Get German Football News** indicated that Leverkusen was making progress on both Medina and Diaby.
Sport Bild reported that Diaby had agreed on personal terms with his former club but left Leverkusen needing to finalize a transfer fee with Al-Ittihad, with discussions suggesting a fee below €30 million might be acceptable. However, Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has since indicated that Inter is making a push for Diaby, preparing another offer for Al-Ittihad. More crucially, he reported that Diaby has not yet accepted Leverkusen’s proposal, leaving the situation open.
Diaby’s Return Could Enhance Leverkusen’s Attack
Diaby remains a prime target for Leverkusen due to his skill and familiarity with the club. The French international had four successful seasons at the BayArena, netting 49 goals and providing 48 assists in 173 competitive matches before transferring to Aston Villa for around €55 million in 2023. A year later, he joined Al-Ittihad.
A potential return would give Leverkusen proven Bundesliga agility and directness as they continue to reshape their attack. Afonso Moreira can operate from the left, while Diaby would offer an effective option on the right and the capability to play more centrally behind a striker.
Bayer Leverkusen have officially completed the signing of Argentina international Facundo Medina from Olympique Marseille, while their efforts to bring Moussa Diaby back to the Bundesliga now face renewed competition from Inter Milan. The 27-year-old Medina has signed a long-term contract through June 2031.
According to Kicker, Leverkusen will pay Marseille approximately €20m for the left-footed defender, with additional bonus payments potentially increasing the final package. Medina becomes another significant component of Leverkusen’s summer rebuild following Alejandro Grimaldo’s departure for Atlético Madrid.
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Medina gives Leverkusen another World Cup finalist
Medina can operate either centrally or on the left side of defense, providing new head coach Carles Martinez with a distinctly different profile to summer arrival Miguel Gutiérrez. The Spaniard represents a more attack-minded option capable of supplying width from left-back or wing-back. Medina offers greater physicality, defensive aggression and the ability to move inside as part of a back three.
Medina spent five years in French football, initially with RC Lens before joining Marseille in 2025. The Argentina international also featured three times at the recent World Cup and came off the bench during the 1-0 extra-time final defeat to Spain.
He therefore joins compatriot Exequiel Palacios as another Leverkusen player with World Cup final experience. Palacios also played a role in convincing Medina to make the move. Medina revealed that the pair discussed Leverkusen during the World Cup and that his Argentina teammate spoke extremely positively about the club.
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“With Facundo Medina, we have signed a very experienced professional who will immediately become an important part of our team through his quality and strong mentality,” Rolfes said. “He is strong in the tackle: assertive and aggressive. Facundo’s qualities add an important element to the profile of our squad.”
Inter challenge Leverkusen for Moussa Diaby
While the Medina deal is complete, Leverkusen’s pursuit of Diaby now appears significantly less straightforward. Get German Football News reported last week that Leverkusen were making major progress on deals for both Medina and Diaby.
Sport Bild reported at the time that Diaby had reached an agreement with his former club over personal terms, leaving Leverkusen to negotiate a transfer fee with Al-Ittihad. A fee below €30m was considered possible. Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio now offers a different account.
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Di Marzio reports that reigning Italian champions Inter are attempting to intervene and are preparing another offer to Al-Ittihad. More importantly, the Italian journalist claims that, contrary to other reports, Diaby has not yet accepted Leverkusen’s proposal. That distinction leaves the race considerably more open than previously thought.
Diaby return would complete major Leverkusen attacking rebuild
Diaby remains an attractive option for Leverkusen because of both his quality and familiarity with the club. The French international spent four seasons at the BayArena after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, registering 49 goals and 48 assists in 173 competitive appearances before moving to Aston Villa for approximately €55m in 2023.
Al-Ittihad signed him one year later. A return would provide Leverkusen with proven Bundesliga pace and directness at a time when the club continue reshaping their attack. Afonso Moreira can operate from the left, while Diaby would offer an obvious option from the right and could also play more centrally behind a striker.
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