{"id":192542,"date":"2025-06-17T20:10:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T20:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/192542\/"},"modified":"2025-06-17T20:10:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T20:10:11","slug":"ambitious-leeds-close-on-18m-deal-for-top-graham-potter-target-as-west-ham-left-behind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/192542\/","title":{"rendered":"Ambitious Leeds close on \u00a318m deal for top Graham Potter target as West Ham left behind"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Leeds United have only just come back up to the Premier League but they are already threatening to put West Ham to shame in the transfer market.<\/strong><\/p>\n

West Ham<\/a> could be about to pay a heavy price for standing still with Leeds reportedly rewarding Daniel Farke<\/a> with \u00a3100m plus for signings. <\/p>\n

Not content with allegedly eyeing up a big move to snatch away Hammers fan favourite Tomas Soucek, Leeds are now turning their attentions to a key star Graham Potter<\/a> wants.<\/p>\n

West Ham fans have been venting their fury at the club\u2019s owners over the lack of money available to back Potter\u2019s much-needed rebuild.<\/p>\n

While Leeds have \u00a3100m to spend, West Ham have nothing<\/p>\n

The Hammers board insist they have no wiggle room when it comes to PSR.<\/p>\n

West Ham dropped a \u00a3100m bombshell and update on Potter\u2019s funds<\/a> last week.<\/p>\n

It once again underlined that players must be sold before West Ham can make signings.<\/p>\n

That is one of the reasons Potter is said to be happy to sell Soucek amid interest from Leeds and Everton.<\/p>\n

Midfield is a key area both West Ham and Leeds United want to improve this summer transfer window<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"BrightonPhoto by Charlie Crowhurst\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Potter has made it clear he wants to overhaul his side and bring down the age of the Premier League\u2019s oldest squad.<\/p>\n

But his hands \u2013 and those of head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay<\/a> \u2013 are tied due to West Ham\u2019s zero transfer budget.<\/p>\n

While the club\u2019s owners desperately seek to offload the likes of Mohammed Kudus and a number of others to raise transfer cash, Potter is stuck in the mud on moving for targets.<\/p>\n

And Leeds have just brutally taken advantage.<\/p>\n

West Ham are being linked with a number of exciting midfield additions this summer including Ardon Jashari, Morten Frendup, Raphael Onyedika, Mamady Diambou, James McAtee and Mario Stroeykens to name but a few.<\/p>\n

Ambitious Leeds close on \u00a318m deal for top Potter target<\/p>\n

Hammers News understands Claret and Hugh<\/a> claims that Strasbourg star Habib Diarra is high on West Ham\u2019s list are well founded.<\/p>\n

Senegal international Diarra is an attacking midfielder who can also play out wide.<\/p>\n

He has been shining for Strasbourg in Ligue 1.<\/p>\n

The problem is when Strasbourg have a quality player, it is almost futile moving for them given the French side come under Chelsea\u2019s BlueCo ownership umbrella.<\/p>\n

But West Ham have been exploring a move for Diarra since Macaulay arrived from Chelsea in January.<\/p>\n

It is unsurprising Macaulay will have been well aware of the 21-year-old\u2019s talents given Chelsea\u2019s link to sister club Strasbourg.<\/p>\n

\"EnglandPhoto by Carl Recine\/Getty ImagesLeeds threaten to put Hammers to shame with Diarra move<\/p>\n

Despite that, ambitious Leeds are closing on an \u00a318m deal for the top Potter target as West Ham are left behind.<\/p>\n

Leeds have already signed 26-year-old striker Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer after his contract expired at Wolfsburg.<\/p>\n

Now Sky Sports News states the Elland Road outfit are in fresh talks with Strasbourg over a deal for Hammers target Diarra.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s after they had an initial \u00a318.7m bid rejected for the star, who shone in Senegal\u2019s 3-1 win over England at the weekend.<\/p>\n

\n

Leeds are in talks with Strasbourg over a deal for midfielder Habib Diarra \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

They are believed to have previously made an \u00a318.7m bid for the Senegal international \u26aa pic.twitter.com\/HeeHtIwbFA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 17, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

The report states \u2018discussions are continuing\u2019 as Leeds focus on their priority of \u2018strengthening the spine of their team which also includes a striker, centre-back and a goalkeeper.<\/p>\n

To rub salt in the wound, the same report states Leeds are also chasing another West Ham target as their second striker signing, Fulham\u2019s Rodrigo Muniz.<\/p>\n

If West Ham miss out on Diarra to newly-promoted Leeds it would be another early window blow for Potter.<\/p>\n

The Hammers boss is under huge pressure to turn things around in east London after struggling to convince in his first six months in charge which saw just five wins from 19 games.<\/p>\n

Paul Merson predicted Leeds would be \u2018licking their lips\u2019 at the prospect of staying up ahead of West Ham<\/a> next season.<\/p>\n

If West Ham are missing out to them for top targets then Merson may be proved unerringly accurate.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n