Sunderland Agree Record-Breaking £30m Deal for Habib Diarra
Sunderland have reached an agreement to sign Senegal international Habib Diarra from French Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg in what marks a landmark move for the club.
According to reports, the Black Cats will pay an initial fee of £27 million, with an additional £3 million tied to performance-based clauses, taking the total value of the deal to £30 million—a new club record.
Direct Replacement for Jobe Bellingham
Diarra’s signing comes shortly after the departure of promising midfielder Jobe Bellingham, who sealed a switch to Borussia Dortmund for an initial £27.8 million. Sunderland have effectively reinvested the entire Bellingham transfer fee to secure Diarra, who is expected to fill the midfield void left behind.
The 21-year-old Senegalese star recently made headlines after scoring in a friendly against England, further enhancing his profile before completing his Premier League switch.
Medical Set and Contract Imminent
Diarra is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days, after which he will sign his contract and be unveiled as a Sunderland player. The deal continues Sunderland’s ambitious transfer strategy following their return to the Premier League.
The Black Cats recently made headlines by breaking their transfer record to sign Enzo Le Fee from Roma for £20 million, a record that now stands broken within just a month.
Competition Fended Off from Leeds United
Sunderland successfully fended off strong interest from Leeds United, one of their newly-promoted Premier League rivals, to secure Diarra’s signature. Other unnamed suitors were also reportedly in the mix, but the project at the Stadium of Light, alongside the promise of top-flight football, proved decisive.
The addition of Diarra is a signal of intent from Sunderland, who are looking to solidify their Premier League status and compete at a higher level. His blend of technical ability, physical strength, and international experience is expected to be a major asset for manager Régis Le Bris as preparations continue for the new season.
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