Leeds United have tabled a bid worth £22m for Strasbourg captain Habib Diarra but a deal could still be some way off – with two Premier League clubs threatening to derail a move.
Diarra, 21, is currently with Senegal’s National Team ahead of Tuesday night’s clash against England at The City Ground. It will see the Strasbourg skipper win his fifth cap if he plays against The Three Lions.
But reports emerged on Monday that Leeds had tabled a £22m bid for Diarra after another excellent season with his boyhood club, coming within an inch of qualifying for Europe under Liam Rosenior.
Strasbourg failed to qualify for Europe on the final day of Ligue 1 and it means the French club will have to entertain selling players this summer. One of those is their skipper, with Leeds now conducting talks.
Photo by Sathiri Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesLeeds United are not alone in pursuit of Habib Diarra
Such is the way with modern transfers, Leeds are not the only club in pursuit of Diarra this summer. While The Whites have stolen a march on their rivals, Diarra could well end up at another Premier League side.
Indeed, Strasbourg are delaying a reply to Leeds as they hope for bigger offers. Alsa Sports say that Angus Kinnear’s Everton and Georginio Rutter’s Brighton have been watching Diarra for months.
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There is a growing trend in the Premier League that may tempt Diarra to join an Everton or a Brighton over Leeds. All three promoted sides have been relegated for the last two seasons, with Leeds promoted.
What Liam Rosenior has said about Leeds target Habib Diarra
Rosenior was unfairly sacked by Hull City at the end of the 2023-24 season. The gaffer, new to the world of management, had guided Hull into a play-off fight but failed to get over the line at the last hurdle.
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It saw Rosenior sacked and then, hired by Strasbourg with pre-season aims of just keeping the Ligue 1 outfit in France’s top tier. But he surpassed that, almost taking Strasbourg into continental competition.
A key part of that was Diarra and Rosenior has heaped praise on the new Leeds target – highlighting his age: “I think he’s going to have an amazing career. He’s been magnificent in my time working with him.”
Whether Leeds can get a deal over the line remains to be seen but for sure, Adam Underwood is making moves. On Tuesday, it emerged Leeds are in talks for Alex Moreno, and Anderlecht’s Mario Stroeykens.