Leeds United are eyeing a deal for Habib Diarra of RC Strasbourg, with the 21-year-old captain also featuring for Senegal against England last night.
The Leeds United target even scored in a 3-1 win just hours after Leeds were linked to Diarra in a £22 million switch from Ligue 1.
Truthfully, Diarra could be too ambitious for Leeds given what his agents have said previously about his trajectory in the game.
Former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior believes Diarra is ‘magnificent’, with the pair working together to get Strasbourg into the UEFA Conference League for next season.
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Leeds’ chances of signing Habib Diarra improve as Strasbourg agree move for Pape Demba Diop
Leeds’ lack of confidence is underlined by the fact other options have been deemed more likely than Diarra but he is believed to be the top target in the midfield role.
That confidence lacks despite the reveal that Diarra has a release clause in his Strasbourg contract. It may also have something to do with the fact Everton and Brighton are also tracking Diarra.
There were doubts anyway, but Beren Cross doesn’t rate Leeds’ chances regarding Diarra in his latest report. However, perhaps a glimmer of light has appeared from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano’s latest report.
Diarra operates as a box-to-box or attacking midfielder but Strasbourg have agreed a deal to sign another 21-year-old midfielder in Pape Demba Diop from Zulte Waregem.
He can play as a number eight or in a slightly deeper role but is a player who has bolstered their talent pool for both the “present and future” — according to Romano.
Is it a replacement? A like-for-like midfielder? Or are they earmarked as playing alongside one another? Time will tell but Leeds’ interest could ramp up off the back of this latest development.
- READ MORE: Where would £21.9m move for Habib Diarra rank among Leeds United’s most-expensive signings
Leeds target Habib Diarra’s stats for Senegal vs England
The desperation to sign the midfielder has grown since Diarra’s performance for Senegal against England, with the 21-year-old putting in an impressive display against Jude Bellingham and co.
Habib Diarra’s stats for Senegal in win over England:
- 71 minutes played
- 7.7 FotMob rating
- One goal, three shots, three touches in opposition box
- 32 touches, 22 successful passes, three unsuccessful
- Three defensive actions, one interception, three recoveries
- Two duels won, five lost
Leeds’ job of signing him may have been made even more difficult given the media’s reaction to Diarra’s display for Senegal.
Already interested parties may now step up their interest in his services, having more than held his own against a number of outstanding elite footballers.
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