MusaSunderland Stun Leeds with Late Move for Diarra as Bellingham Replacement
In a surprising weekend twist, Sunderland have leapfrogged Leeds United in the race to sign Habib Diarra from Strasbourg. The Black Cats are ready to pay over £30 million for the midfielder, who enjoyed a “magnificent” season as Strasbourg captain, filling the void left by Jobe Bellingham’s departure.
Leeds had initially led the chase for Diarra, submitting two bids—the latest around £24 million—but refused to match Sunderland’s hefty offer, deeming the price excessive. Now, the Whites are shifting focus to alternative targets, including another Ligue 1 captain: Angers’ Himad Abdelli.
Leeds Eye Angers Skipper Abdelli After Diarra Snub
Leeds’ early transfer strategy appeared to prioritize Premier League-proven players, but recent signings Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol—though fluent in English—lack significant top-flight experience. This trend continues with their latest targets, including Diarra and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Now, after missing out on Diarra, Leeds are among the frontrunners for Abdelli. The Algerian international, who scored six goals from midfield in a struggling Angers side, has attracted interest from Torino and Trabzonspor as well. Reporter Sacha Tavolieri claims Leeds are “most likely” to submit an offer soon.
Brenden Aaronson’s Future in Doubt as Leeds Seek Creative Reinforcements
Unlike Diarra, a box-to-box midfielder, Abdelli operates as a natural No. 10—a role that would put him in direct competition with Brenden Aaronson. With Leeds aiming to survive in the Premier League, they need a creative spark capable of producing moments of magic in tight games.
While Gustavo Hamer and Emi Buendia remain higher-priority targets, Abdelli’s arrival would intensify pressure on Aaronson. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the American needs regular minutes to secure his place in the US squad—raising questions over whether his future lies at Elland Road.
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