Leeds United have submitted a big-money bid to sign Strasbourg captain Habib Diarra, according to reports. The Ligue 1 side successfully kept hold of the 21-year-old amid transfer interest in last summer’s window, but it is understood that they would now be willing to sanction his sale if a big enough offer arrives.
Whites manager Daniel Farke faces a nervous wait to discover whether Elland Road bosses have met Strasbourg’s valuation. Senior figures at the French outfit are believed to be holding out before responding to Leeds, as a bidding war could see them receive an even larger fee.
According to L’Equipe, Leeds’ offer tips the scales at just under £22million. Other clubs in England and Germany are said to be ‘in constant contact’ as part of their efforts to scout out a move for Strasbourg’s young skipper.
Diarra appeared 30 times in Ligue 1 last campaign, scoring four goals and notching five assists from a variety of positions. The Senegal international can play in central midfield or out wide, which forms part of his appeal as Farke looks to build a squad capable of meeting the demands of the Premier League.
Having signed for Strasbourg’s academy in 2018, Diarra has made just shy of 100 first-team appearances, scoring 10 goals. If he makes the move to Elland Road, he would arrive with three full seasons of top-flight experience under his belt.
The Whites are yet to make a permanent signing this summer. Rasmus Kristensen saw a loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt made permanent while Sam Greenwood, Joe Gelhardt and Jack Harrison have all returned from temporary spells away.
In an interview with Transfermarkt in April, Farke made it clear that surviving the Premier League without splashing out in the transfer market is nigh on impossible. “The differences are indeed widening,” he said. “The Premier League has financial clout, generating enormous resources through TV money and sponsorship.
“In the Championship, on the other hand, many clubs struggle with limited resources. It’s difficult to bridge this gap, especially if a newly promoted club can’t make the right investments right away.
“It’s primarily about quality and depth in the squad, but also about infrastructure and long-term planning. A club must be willing to invest in players, training facilities, and scouting. Without these fundamentals, it’s almost impossible to assert yourself in the Premier League.”