The latest Sunderland transfer news and gossip - as the Black Cats are linked with a swoop for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra.
Sunderland have been linked with a swoop for Habib Diarra from Strasbourg.
Sunderland have been linked with a swoop for Habib Diarra from Strasbourg.
Sunderland are reportedly preparing a bid in the region of £35million for highly-rated Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra. That's according to Alan Nixon - via Patreon - who says the Black Cats are plotting an audacious swoop for the Senegal international.
The 21-year-old - who is currently Strasbourg captain - is on Sunderland's transfer wishlist this summer as Kristjaan Speakman and Co. look to fill the void left by Jobe Bellingham's club-record transfer to Borussia Dortmund. The Black Cats reportedly view Diarra as the ideal man to fill the void left behind by the England youth international, who has followed in his brother Jude's footsteps in completing a move to the German giants.
Diarra made 30 appearances in France's top-flight last season - scoring four goals and setting up a further five for his teammates - impressing for Liam Rosenior's side who will play Europa Conference League football next season.
According to Nixon, Sunderland are plotting a move that could reach up to £35million, with a medical being lined up on Wearside for when the two clubs agree a fee.
Interest in Diarra is reportedly high; with Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Aston Villa said to be keen on a swoop for the midfielder this summer.
The Senegalese international is expected to leave the Ligue 1 club in the current transfer window, with a move to the Premier League said to be his preferred destination.
Strasbourg president Marc Keller has already made it clear he won't stand in the midfielder's way should he wish to leave the club this summer.
"There's one player who's due to leave based on a promise I made to him two years ago: our captain, Habib Diarra," Keller told RMC’s After Foot show.
"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 interesting offer for him and for us, he could leave."
Sunderland are yet to add to their ranks this summer after bringing an end to their eight-year stint outside of the Premier League. The Black Cats have also been linked with a big money move for OGC Nice's - goalkeeper Marcin Bulka - although a deal is yet to be agreed between the two parties.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Poland international is keen on a move to the Stadium of Light this summer, with incoming transfer chief Florent Ghisolfi no stranger to the 25-year-old, having both worked at the French club.
The Ligue 1 outfit have set a reported asking price of €20million (£17m) for Bulka this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of the next campaign. Forward's Vladyslav Vanat and Armand Laurienté have also been linked with moves to Wearside this summer.
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