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.
West Ham could be about to pay a heavy price for standing still with Leeds reportedly rewarding Daniel Farke with £100m plus for signings.
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 wants.
West Ham fans have been venting their fury at the club’s owners over the lack of money available to back Potter’s much-needed rebuild.
While Leeds have £100m to spend, West Ham have nothing
The Hammers board insist they have no wiggle room when it comes to PSR.
West Ham dropped a £100m bombshell and update on Potter’s funds last week.
It once again underlined that players must be sold before West Ham can make signings.
That is one of the reasons Potter is said to be happy to sell Soucek amid interest from Leeds and Everton.
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Midfield is a key area both West Ham and Leeds United want to improve this summer transfer window.
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Potter has made it clear he wants to overhaul his side and bring down the age of the Premier League’s oldest squad.
But his hands – and those of head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay – are tied due to West Ham’s zero transfer budget.
While the club’s 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.
And Leeds have just brutally taken advantage.
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.
Ambitious Leeds close on £18m deal for top Potter target
Hammers News understands Claret and Hugh claims that Strasbourg star Habib Diarra is high on West Ham’s list are well founded.
Senegal international Diarra is an attacking midfielder who can also play out wide.
He has been shining for Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
The problem is when Strasbourg have a quality player, it is almost futile moving for them given the French side come under Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership umbrella.
But West Ham have been exploring a move for Diarra since Macaulay arrived from Chelsea in January.
It is unsurprising Macaulay will have been well aware of the 21-year-old’s talents given Chelsea’s link to sister club Strasbourg.
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Leeds threaten to put Hammers to shame with Diarra move
Despite that, ambitious Leeds are closing on an £18m deal for the top Potter target as West Ham are left behind.
Leeds have already signed 26-year-old striker Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer after his contract expired at Wolfsburg.
Now Sky Sports News states the Elland Road outfit are in fresh talks with Strasbourg over a deal for Hammers target Diarra.
That’s after they had an initial £18.7m bid rejected for the star, who shone in Senegal’s 3-1 win over England at the weekend.
Leeds are in talks with Strasbourg over a deal for midfielder Habib Diarra 🚨
They are believed to have previously made an £18.7m bid for the Senegal international ⚪ pic.twitter.com/HeeHtIwbFA
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 17, 2025
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The report states ‘discussions are continuing’ as Leeds focus on their priority of ‘strengthening the spine of their team which also includes a striker, centre-back and a goalkeeper.
To rub salt in the wound, the same report states Leeds are also chasing another West Ham target as their second striker signing, Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz.
If West Ham miss out on Diarra to newly-promoted Leeds it would be another early window blow for Potter.
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.
Paul Merson predicted Leeds would be ‘licking their lips’ at the prospect of staying up ahead of West Ham next season.
If West Ham are missing out to them for top targets then Merson may be proved unerringly accurate.