The plan from the 49ers in signing Habib Diarra could turn out to be a masterclass for Leeds United.
Diarra has emerged on Leeds’ radar in the last few days, with the 21-year-old appearing as an exciting addition.
Despite there being a clear interest, nothing with Diarra is concrete just yet after a £22m bid was tabled by Leeds.
The Strasbourg midfielder is a box-to-box type player and will be desperately needed in the Premier League for the Whites.
What makes this transfer even better from happening though, is the player Diarra bases his overall game off.
The player Habib Diarra bases his game on will excite Leeds United fans
The midfielder has had an excellent season under Liam Rosenior in France, with Diarra captaining his side at just 21.
Daniel Farke will need this exact type of leader in the dressing room, as the Frenchman must be very special to captain his team to a European place next season.
The 49ers will hope they can do the same with the Whites one day, with Paraag Marathe aiming for Europe with Leeds.
A player like Diarra joining will help with this, as another Frenchman who he might remind fans of is Paul Pogba, who was equally as exciting at such a young age.
Well, this is exactly who Diarra looks up to, as speaking to AfricaSoccer.com, he detailed his admiration for the former Man United midfielder whilst he was at Juventus.
“When Pogba was at Juve, he was unstoppable. I remember watching him when I was about ten. His technique, power, and shooting ability—he had everything,” Diarra said.
“He was the complete midfielder.”
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How Leeds target Habib Diarra is the spitting image of Paul Pogba
To have someone who is reminiscent of Pogba at the same age would be an incredible piece of business.
Before what was considered a disappointing move to Manchester, Pogba was a raging success in Turin, and at the same age as Diarra, he was excelling on the biggest stage.
Diarra hasn’t reached that level just yet, but Rosenior predicts Diarra for an amazing future.
But how much has Diarra really based himself on Pogba?
Well, what the Frenchman is known for is a brilliant passing range like Pogba himself, but what’s really impressive is his on-the-ball work.
Diarra is first and foremost a progressor through his ball carrying, which has been shown at an elite level this campaign
Adding to this, he’s great at driving with the ball and starting attacks, excelling in the opposition’s half (5:22)
With Diarra having a hidden release clause, the transfer could be wrapped up much quicker.
But if Leeds get anything like Pogba at 21 in Diarra, they will be just fine in the top flight.
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