CONFIRMED DEAL: Sky Sports Confirms Leeds United BIG MOVE for Strasbourg Key Player in a Surprising £24m Deal That Would See Him Partner with Tanaka to Create a FORMIDABLE Midfield Partnership That Would SHOCK Premier League

Leeds United Launch £24m Bid for Strasbourg Captain Habib Diarra as Midfield Rebuild Accelerates

Leeds United’s ambitious summer rebuild continues to gather pace as the newly promoted Premier League club make a fresh £24 million bid for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, according to Africa Foot. It marks a significant step forward in what could become a transformative signing for Daniel Farke’s side.

The Whites, who stormed to the Championship title with over 100 points last season, are keen to avoid the fate of other recently promoted clubs who have tumbled straight back down. With a clear plan to strengthen each department of the pitch, Leeds have already moved to secure Jaka Bijol from Udinese and striker Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg.

Now the focus shifts to the heart of midfield, where Diarra has emerged as a top target. Leeds had an initial bid of £21.3 million rejected earlier this window but have now returned with an improved offer and reportedly submitted personal terms to the player as well, believed to be a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old Senegal international has developed into a central figure for Strasbourg, captaining the Ligue 1 outfit and helping guide them to European qualification. His stats reflect his influence: four goals and five assists across 30 top-flight appearances last term, all while showcasing the versatility that makes him so attractive to Premier League clubs.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson has labelled Diarra a “complete midfielder” on social media platform X, adding: “Whether you need a 6, 8, 10 — Habib Diarra can do it.” Indeed, Diarra has featured both as a box-to-box number eight and in a more advanced number 10 role during his time in France, and his tactical flexibility could prove invaluable in the top flight.

He further underlined his quality with a recent goal for Senegal in a friendly against England at the City Ground — a well-timed, curved run behind the defence capped with a cool finish into the far corner — a clear sign of his composure and movement in the final third.

Should he arrive, Diarra is expected to slot into midfield alongside Japan international Ao Tanaka, who was a key figure in Farke’s title-winning side last season. Tanaka, 26, was lauded for his defensive contributions, averaging 3.97 tackles and interceptions and 5.9 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, according to FBref.

With Tanaka anchoring the midfield, Diarra could be afforded the freedom to push forward and impact games higher up the pitch. His own numbers — 1.03 key passes and 0.31 goal-creating actions per 90 — support the idea that he could thrive in a more attack-minded role at Elland Road.

It’s a calculated but ambitious move from the 49ers Group-backed Leeds hierarchy, and if completed, it would signal the club’s intent to establish themselves as more than just Premier League survivors. Diarra, with leadership credentials, technical quality, and physicality, could be the heartbeat of Farke’s midfield for years to come.