It has been a busy summer already for newly promoted side Leeds United. The 2024/25 campaign was sensational for Daniel Farke’s side, racking up over 100 points and winning the Championship title, and, of course, promotion back to the Premier League.
Leeds are looking to break the streak of newly promoted sides getting immediately relegated, as we have seen the last two seasons. With that in mind, they have been busy in the transfer market already, signing defender Jaka Bijol from Udinese and striker Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg on a free transfer.
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With two parts of the pitch already strengthened, Leeds are now seemingly ready to turn their attention to the midfield, if recent reports are true.
Leeds' midfield target
One man who the Elland Road side have on their list for a new midfielder is young Anderlecht midfielder Mario Stroeykens, with talkSPORT reporting that they ‘hold an interest’ in the Belgian. However, with West Ham United also in the race, it is unclear if they will sign him.
A deal that is far more advanced is for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra. According to a report from Africa Foot, the Senegal international is now ‘the subject of an official offer’ from the 49ers Group.
The Yorkshire outfit have reportedly sent a bid of £24m to the French side for Diarra, after initially having a bid of £21.3m rejected earlier in the window.
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Leeds have also offered him personal terms, thought to be a three-year deal if he is to make the move to Elland Road.
How Leeds' midfielder would shape up with Diarra and Tanaka
21-year-old Senegal international Diarra would be joining Leeds with a great pedigree. After coming through Strasbourg’s youth system, he has gone on to become the club captain, showing excellent leadership qualities at such a young age.
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Last term, the Strasbourg number 19 was a key player for his side, as they qualified for the UEFA Conference League next season. He featured in 30 top-flight games, scoring four times and grabbing five assists in that time.
Diarra is an extremely versatile midfielder, with football analyst Ben Mattinson posting on X that whether you need a “6, 8, 10, Habib Diarra can do it”. Indeed, last term for Strasbourg, he played both as a number 10 and a number eight. As Mattinson said, he is a "complete midfielder".
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The 21-year-old bagged for his country in their recent friendly against England at the City Ground, showing off his attacking nous. It was a smart run in behind the Three Lions' defence, curving his run to get space, before carrying into the six-yard box and slotting into the far corner.
One thing Leeds fans can perhaps look forward to if they sign Diarra is the partnership that could develop between him and Ao Tanaka. The Japan international was a key player under Farke last season, after joining from Fortuna Düsseldorf.
The 26-year-old, who is a defensive midfielder by trade, chipped in with five goals and two assists in 43 Championship appearances. Despite his excellent performances, he never really found a permanent partner, but perhaps Diarra could be that player.
With Tanaka’s ability from a defensive standpoint, it could unleash Diarra and allow him to venture forward to try and impact the game in more advanced areas. The stats are there, via FBref, that certainly support this theory.
For example, Tanaka averaged 3.97 tackles and interceptions and 5.9 ball recoveries per 90 minutes last season, showing just how efficient he was at sitting deeper and breaking up play. As for Diarra, he averaged 1.03 key passes and 0.31 goal-creating actions each game. This certainly highlights just how effective he can be in and around the penalty box, as does his goals and assist tally from last term.
Diarra and Tanaka key stats
Stat (per 90)
Goals and assists
Key passes
Goal-creating actions
Take-ons completed
Progressive carries
Stats from FBref
The partnership that Leeds fans could expect to see between Tanaka and Diarra is hugely exciting. They could become unplayable together, with the progression of the Japan star feeding the Strasbourg skipper in the final third, who would have less defensive responsibility.
Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra
For just £24m, this could be a bargain for the Yorkshire outfit, and one that would really upgrade their midfield.
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