In just a few weeks, Leonardo Balerdi has carved out an increasingly important role for Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma.

The Argentine defender has already logged 468 minutes of action, scoring a brace in the away match at the Maradona.

These performances have brought the player closer to triggering the buy option held by the Giallorossi.

As reported by Il Messaggero, Balerdi’s option is tied to specific contractual conditions that will also determine his fee.

If the defender were to play 55% of the season’s matches, playing a minimum of 45 minutes in each game, the option would start at €14 million.

The figure would be €3 million lower, dropping to €11 million, if the Argentine were to play between 40% and 55% of matches, failing to reach the latter threshold.

The minutes he’s accumulated so far and the space he’s found in Gasperini’s rotations therefore bring Balerdi closer to reaching the terms of the agreement. The defender has quickly earned the coach’s trust, becoming an increasingly frequent presence in the Giallorossi squad.