Aston Villa are expected to bolster their squad this summer
European hopefuls Aston Villa have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of a talented 21-year-old with experience on the international stage.
Unai Emery’s side are reported by Sports Mole to be huge admirers of rising Ligue 1 star Habib Diarra. The 21-year-old RC Strasbourg gem can play both as a central midfielder and out wide and has made a huge impression for Liam Rosenior’s side in recent months.
Strasbourg secured an impressive seventh place finish in Ligue 1, marking the club’s second highest finish in their 119-year history while crucially earning a place in the Europa Conference League for next season, meaning they’ll compete on the continent for the first time since reaching the quarter-final of the 2006 UEFA Cup.
Aston Villa receive key transfer boost
Habib Diarra has enjoyed a productive campaign for Liam Rosenior’s side which saw him get four goals and five assists from 30 league appearances. It made him a regular for his national team in the build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup in North American in 12 months time.
Diarra has played 11 times for his country since his debut in 2024 and has impressively scored four goals, including a match-winning strike against England in a 3-1 friendly victory where he outperformed many players on the pitch, including Declan Rice and Connor Gallagher in the middle of the park.
However, despite being captain, it appears Strasbourg have accepted that they may have to let Diarra move onto pastures new this summer after a stellar individual campaign.In an interview with RMC Sport's After Foot, Marc Keller (club president) formally gave the green light to an exit for one of the club's most prized assets.
Keller said: "There’s one player who should leave, based on a promise I made to him two years ago, and that’s our captain Habib Diarra.When he extended his contract, we told him he was extending it, but that he wouldn’t leave until June 2025. So, if we get an attractive offer for him and for us, he could leave."
Aston Villa face strong competition for Habib Diarra as valuation is set
Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Habib Diarra to add further quality to an already strong midfield. However, it’s understood that Brighton, who are expert talent spotters, and newly promoted Leeds United could also make rival bids.
Brighton finished eighth last year, just four points behind seventh placed Nottingham Forest, and will undoubtedly have their eyes on achieving a European finish for just the second time in their history. Meanwhile, Leeds are looking to build a side which can survive in the Premier League with shrewd recruitment as they did with Marcelo Bielsa five years ago.
Diarra is thought to be valued at around £21.7m, which makes him affordable to all three Premier League clubs, at the start of what has so far been an action-packed window.
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