Sunderland 'making £35m move' to sign Leeds United and Aston Villa transfer target — Yorkshire Post 27/6/25
By Tom Coates
Sunderland are reportedly making a move to beat Leeds United
to the signature of Strasbourg playmaker Habib Diarra.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2024/25 season, starring
for Strasbourg as they surged into seventh place in Ligue 1.
His exploits have fuelled talk of a summer switch and Leeds
have been credited with interest in the attacking midfielder.
Leeds reportedly submitted a £21.9m bid, although it has
since been claimed the Whites may miss out on the Senegal international.
Doubts regarding Leeds’ chances of landing Diarra have been
intensified by reports of interest from rivals such as Aston Villa, Brighton
& Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest.
According to reporter Alan Nixon via his Patreon page,
newly-promoted Sunderland are now making a move to sign Diarra.
The Black Cats are said to be putting together a bumper £35m
package in an effort to pull off what would be a major transfer coup.
Diarra is said to have been identified as a replacement for
Jobe Bellingham, who has followed in the footsteps of his brother Jude by
joining Borussia Dortmund.
The report claims Leeds have been trying to land Diarra for
weeks, but have been offering less.
It is believed the playmaker is being lined up for a medical
at Sunderland once figures are agreed.
An attack-minded midfielder does appear to be on the list of
priorities for Leeds in the transfer window.
Since confirmation of the club’s promotion to the Premier
League, a clutch have been reported as potential targets for the Whites.
Brenden Aaronson spent the bulk of last season as Daniel
Farke’s ‘number 10’ of choice, but did not always impress.