It came out of nowhere over the weekend but Sunderland are now set to sign Habib Diarra ahead of Leeds United, as The Black Cats move to replace the loss of Jobe Bellingham.
Leeds were the initial front-runners to sign Diarra from Strasbourg this summer, after making an initial offer. Leeds then made a second bid for Diarra, believed to be worth around the £24m mark this month.
However, Sunderland have blown Leeds out of the water. The Black Cats have chosen to pay big for the Strasbourg captain, with Sunderland set to pay north of £30m to land Diarra after a “magnificent” season.
Leeds decided not to match Diarra’s price, not believing he was worth that figure and will now go after other targets. One of those other targets could be another Ligue 1 captain, but this time, Angers’ skipper.
Habib Diarra smiling before Strasbourg vs PSG.
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Leeds one of three most-likely clubs to bid for Himad Abdelli
The initial belief that Leeds wanted to sign players with Premier League experience seems to have gone out of the window. At least, new signings Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol can both speak fluent English.
But aside from a few minutes of Premier League action, neither Nmecha nor Bijol have experience of playing in England’s top tier. That seems to be the trend with most of Leeds’ other transfer targets, too.
Himad Abdelli in action for Angers last season.
Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Diarra and others linked with a move to Elland Road. After missing out on Diarra, it appears Leeds are going to try and sign another Ligue 1 captain in the form of Angers’ Himad Abdelli.
In a poor Angers side, Algeria international Abdelli netted six goals from midfield and well-regarded reporter Sacha Tavolieri says Leeds are now likely to make a bid, alongside Torino and Trabzonspor.
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Tavolieri said on X: “Alongside Leeds United’s interest in Himad Abdelli, Torino and Trabzonspor are currently the clubs most likely to make an offer for the Angers midfielder. More to follow.”
Brenden Aaronson should be concerned as Leeds eye Abdelli
He’s not the central midfielder that Leeds are looking to sign, like they were in Diarra. The latter had more of an engine and was a player able to make an impact in both boxes, playing more as a no.8 from deep.
Abdelli meanwhile, is naturally a no.10. Wearing the no.10 shirt at Angers, he has enjoyed his best season in French football and is coming into his prime, his stock has never been higher after a superb campaign.
The leading man in this Angers side, Abdelli would certainly push and compete with Aaronson to start. But if Leeds are to survive in the Premier League, they need a player they can rely on to create magic.
Moments of genius out of nothing, with Leeds unlikely to have much possession. LeedsUnited.News understands that Gustavo Hamer and Emi Buendia are high on the list – and they are better suited.
But one thing is for sure, Leeds are actively looking to pursue a replacement for Aaronson. With the World Cup in America a year away, Aaronson needs game time to retain his USA spot and his future is in doubt.