The Argentine international, who captained Marseille during the 2024–25 season, has reportedly been scouted by Newcastle as they explore a potential deal.
Balerdi, 26, enjoyed a strong campaign in Ligue 1, helping Marseille finish as runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain. His leadership qualities and consistent performances have not gone unnoticed, and Newcastle are believed to see him as a viable solution to bolster their back line.
A former Boca Juniors youth product, Balerdi moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2019 but struggled for game time, making just eight appearances in all competitions. He was loaned to Marseille in 2020 and signed permanently the following year.
Since then, he has become a mainstay at the heart of their defence and has earned eight senior caps for Argentina.
Newcastle's pursuit of a centre-back comes after missing out on Lloyd Kelly, who opted for a move to Juventus.
Additionally, interest in Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi appears to have cooled, possibly due to growing competition from Liverpool.
With domestic options proving costly, Newcastle may be shifting focus abroad in search of better value.
The club are thought to be wary of paying a premium for Premier League experience and see the overseas market as a more cost-effective route.