Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Argentina defender Facundo Medina from Olympique de Marseille for a €23m fee. The transfer was completed on 11 August 2026, adding a left-footed center-back who can also cover left-back. Medina, 27, arrives with international experience and a recent run of competitive minutes at the World Cup and in CONMEBOL qualifying. On Sofascore, his recent performances point to a tidy passer who competes well in duels and covers ground quickly.

Transfer at a glance: fee, date, clubs

Medina’s last transfer is clear and tidy in the ledger: Marseille to Bayer Leverkusen, €23m, on 11 August 2026. It continues a busy summer for the defender, who moved from Lens to Marseille for €18m on 30 June. For Leverkusen, it is a targeted addition in a key area before the Bundesliga season ramps up. For Marseille, there is a straightforward financial upside between the June purchase and the August sale. The fee also sits above Medina’s current proposed market value of €16.3m, suggesting Leverkusen rate his fit within their system.

His profile is defined by balance and versatility. He is left footed, 184 cm tall, and comfortable as a center-back or on the left. His shirt number is 32. The move adds another defender who can play out under pressure and defend space. It also gives Leverkusen an option for back three or back four setups without reconfiguring the rest of the back line.

Profile and recent form

Medina’s recent tournament sample is useful. At the World Cup 2026 he posted a Sofascore Rating of 6.9 across five appearances and 309 minutes, with one assist and 92.3% passing. He added 9 tackles with 7 won, 14 clearances and 10 ball recoveries, plus a clean sheet. His ground duels were solid at 68.8% won, and he hit a top speed of 33.81 km/h, which will not hurt in Bundesliga transitions. The disciplinary note was light, with one yellow card.

In CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification 2025 he appeared four times for 104 minutes and recorded a Sofascore Rating of 6.7. He won all three of his tackles and 75% of total duels, with 86.8% pass completion. For Marseille in the 2026 Trophée des Champions he logged 90 minutes, a Sofascore Rating of 6.3, 90.2% passing and one key pass. Across these competitions the theme is consistent: high passing accuracy, reliable tackling, and enough pace to recover when the line steps up. He is not a high-volume long passer by the numbers, but he rarely wastes possession.

How Medina fits Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen’s team profile points to a possession side that still leaves room for defensive gains. Last season they averaged 59.2% possession and completed 18,152 of 20,585 passes, an 88.2% accuracy rate. They created 91 big chances and scored 68 goals, which is healthy output. At the other end they conceded 47 goals, kept 8 clean sheets, and had 7 errors leading to goals. Duels were a near even split, with 52.0% won overall and 53.2% in the air.

Medina’s strengths match that template. His 92.3% World Cup passing and steady duel numbers align with Leverkusen’s build-up demands. He adds left-footed distribution to improve circulation on the weak side and gives Carles Martínez a natural option to defend the channel. With a 77.8% tackle success rate at the World Cup and 100% in recent CONMEBOL minutes, he projects as a cleaner in front of the box. His 33.81 km/h top speed can help cover space when their full backs or wing backs push on. If he sustains that accuracy and timing, Leverkusen’s figure of 7 errors leading to goals should trend down.

What it means for Leverkusen and Marseille

Leverkusen finished sixth in the Bundesliga with 59 points from 34 games, winning 17 and scoring 68. Pre-season has been positive, with friendly wins over KRC Genk 4-0, Rot-Weiss Essen 3-0, Kickers Offenbach 3-1 and Sevilla 2-1, plus one cancellation against Carl Zeiss Jena. The squad’s recent average Sofascore Rating sits at 6.95, and Medina now joins a group that already passes the ball well and presses with energy. His ability to play center-back or left-back gives Martínez more flexibility for rotations at BayArena.

For Marseille, the June purchase at €18m and sale in August at €23m represents a quick capital gain. The move frees budget as they shape their defense differently for the campaign ahead. Both clubs acted decisively, and the timeline kept the player in rhythm throughout the summer. For supporters, this is a neat match of needs and profile. You can follow Medina’s live performance, lineups and Sofascore Rating on Sofascore throughout the Bundesliga season.