Premier League returnees Leeds United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Strasbourg and Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra, according to reports.<\/p>\n
Leeds<\/strong><\/a> earned promotion back to the top flight as Championship winners, finishing above second-place Burnley on goal difference.<\/p>\n There were initial doubts over whether head coach Daniel Farke would lead the Whites back into the Premier League, but the board gave him a vote of confidence and the German is now playing a major role in the club\u2019s summer transfer business.<\/p>\n They have already completed the free transfer signing of\u00a0Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg and have reportedly agreed a fee with Udinese for Slovenian defender Jaka Bijol<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Every Premier League transfer and release confirmed in the summer of 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons \u2013 whom Farke managed at Norwich City \u2013 and Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes are also on Leeds\u2019 transfer shortlist, according to reports.<\/p>\n However, they have been actively working on a deal to sign Strasbourg midfielder Diarra \u2013 who impressed in Senegal\u2019s 3-1 friendly win over England this month.<\/p>\n Leeds reportedly made an \u00a318.7million bid for Diarra, but \u2018a deal currently looks unlikely\u2019, according to Sky Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n The report from Rob Dorsett, Tim Thornton and Zinny Boswell says:<\/p>\n Leeds\u00a0have held talks with\u00a0Strasbourg\u00a0for\u00a0Habib Diarra\u00a0\u2013 but a deal currently looks unlikely.<\/p>\n They are believed to have previously made an \u00a318.7m (\u20ac22m) bid for the Senegal international.<\/p>\n Discussions continue as the newly-promoted club look to strengthen their team.<\/p>\n Leeds\u2019 priority is to strengthen the spine of their team, which also includes a striker, centre-back and goalkeeper.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n It\u2019s added that Fulham\u2019s Rodrigo Muniz is a striker Leeds are considering, as is Everton frontman Beto.<\/p>\n Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett added more on social media about the \u2018busy\u2019 Whites, claiming their bid for Diarra was \u20ac25m (\u00a321.3m).<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ben Jacobs says Diarra\u2019s potential move to Elland Road is \u2018looking unlikely at this stage\u2019, with negotiations with the player \u2018needing to be resolved if anything is to progress\u2019.<\/p>\n Diarra has the word of Strasbourg president Marc Keller, who says the 21-year-old can leave if a sufficient bid is made.<\/p>\n Speaking on RMC\u2019s After Foot show on Monday, Keller said: \u201cThere\u2019s one player who\u2019s due to leave based on a promise I made to him two years ago: our captain, Habib Diarra.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he extended his contract, we told him he was extending it, but that he wouldn\u2019t leave until June 2025. So if we get an interesting offer for him and for us, he could leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Diarra is already captain of Strasbourg and helped Liam Rosenior\u2019s side finish eighth in Ligue 1 last season.<\/p>\n Since making his first-team debut in October 2021 at the age of 17, the Senegalese midfielder has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 102 appearances.<\/p>\n Owned by BlueCo \u2013 the consortium that bought Chelsea<\/strong><\/a> in 2022 \u2013 it\u2019s no surprise that Diarra has also been linked with the London club.<\/p>\n\n