Sunderland are on the approach of completing a major transfer coup with the expected arrival of Habib Diarra, and new reports from Senegal have revealed specifics of the midfielder’s new deal.
According to D Sports, Diarra has signed a five-year contract with Sunderland following a good physical in Paris over the weekend. According to the article, the 21-year-old passed the tests “without a hitch” before writing anything.
The financial package on offer represents a significant show of purpose from the newly promoted Premier League side. Diarra presently makes €110,000 per month at Strasbourg, but Sunderland intends to treble his salary to roughly €330,000 (£282,000) each month, putting him among the club’s top earners, if not the highest, at around £70,000 per week. The transaction, valued roughly £30 million, illustrates Sunderland’s growing ambition for the Stadium of Light, with the club pushing rapidly to outbid Leeds United for the Senegal international.
Big numbers in Ligue 1
Diarra had a remarkable season in Ligue 1, scoring seven goals in 2,969 minutes for Strasbourg, averaging 0.21 goals per 90 minutes. That compares favorably to Jobe Bellingham’s five goals in 4,363 minutes for Sunderland last season, a rate of 0.10 per 90.
The Strasbourg player also averaged 1.97 shots per game, with a 9.0% conversion percentage. In contrast, Bellingham averaged 1.35 shots per game and converted at 7.7%. Diarra’s nine Ligue 1 goals put him alongside Chelsea-linked Malick Fofana and Monaco starlet Eliesse Ben Seghir, highlighting his impact on a young Strasbourg side that ended seventh – the club’s second-best top-flight performance this century.
Official announcement expected shortly
With the medical completed and the papers signed, Sunderland is anticipated to make an official statement within the next few hours. D Sports even posted a photo of Diarra undergoing physical exams, but it’s unclear if it was taken during his Sunderland screening.
Diarra is the first major acquisition of the summer for Régis Le Bris, who is looking to rebuild the Black Cats’ midfield ahead of their Premier League return. If finished, the Diarra-Dan Neil-Enzo Le Fée axis may serve as the backbone of a radical new-look engine room, plus prospective new additions and Chris Rigg’s influence. Sunderland is anticipated to continue active in the market, with additional reinforcements planned at numerous positions.