Who is Habib Diarra? Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham successor set to sign for record fee

Sunderland are set to kick-start their return to the Premier League in dramatic fashion, as the Black Cats finalise a deal that will break their club transfer record. According to multiple reports, the promoted club are set to sign Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra for an initial fee of €32 million, which could rise to €36m if all add-on clauses are met. Sunderland’s current record signing is Enzo Le Fée, who joined the club on loan in January, but completed a permanent move to the club this summer for €23m. 

To no great surprise, Régis Le Bris’ side were always going to need a new central midfielder, following the departure of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund for €30.5m. As such, many consider Diarra to be a direct replacement for the young Englishman, as well as an exciting prospect to help Sunderland carefully avoid the threat of relegation next season. But how good is the 21-year-old talent and does he have the potential to be a Premier League star worthy of Sunderland’s record-breaking transfer fee? Let’s find out. 

How good is Habib Diarra?

Diarra made his debut in Ligue 1 aged just 17, but it wasn’t until a year later when he was finally afforded an opportunity to break into the Strasbourg first team and really show what he’s capable of. Since then, the Senegalese international has gone from strength to strength in the French top-flight, showcasing an array of attributes that have made him a highly-sought after box-to-box midfielder. With reports in recent years linking him with moves to Leeds United and Everton, Diarra’s market value has risen from €600k to where it now stands at €20m. Which makes him the club’s third most valuable player and the seventh most valuable Senegalese player in the world. 

“I wouldn't say there's one particular quality that stands out in Habib Diarra,” said Transfermarkt Ligue 1 expert Joachim Durand, when asked about Diarra’s talent, before explaining why the new Sunderland signing should be the perfect replacement for Bellingham. “But that's precisely because he can do everything. He's a box-to-box midfielder with an array of talents. Defensively, he picks up a lot of balls and knows how to press well. Offensively, he can be decisive (four goals and five assists this season) and even make a difference with the ball at his feet.” 

What may also be of interest to Sunderland fans is the remarkable versatility Diarra has shown since stepping up to the Strasbourg first team. Over the course of over 100 games, the 21-year-old talent has played 31 games as a holding midfielder, 24 as an attacking midfielder, 12 games on the left wing, nine games on the right wing and a further six games as a defensive midfielder. As such, Diarra may be the perfect utility player for Le Bris’ side this season, if injuries begin to poke holes in his team over the course of the Premier League campaign. 

Indeed, it’s Diarra’s experience in Ligue 1 despite being so young that gives Durand plenty of hope that he’ll be a success for Sunderland in the English top-flight. “Unlike other young Ligue 1 players who leave very soon after their breakthrough season, Diarra waited,” said the Ligue 1 expert. “He has already played almost 100 games in Ligue 1 (94). That experience could reduce the time needed for him to adapt to the Premier League, compared to others.” And to no great surprise, Durand also thinks Sunderland may have a player on their hands that could one day demand a transfer fee far higher than the one they’re set to pay this summer. 

“If I had to compare his potential to others, I'd say he's probably below Warren Zaire-Emery and Andrey Santos, but on the same level as Lamine Camara,” noted Durand. “In other words, he's probably destined to shine in Europe’s top league for a mid-table club, like Amadou Onana for example.” Whether Diarra can replace Bellingham or indeed emulate Onana’s success in the league remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that Sunderland seem to have done their homework and picked up an impressive prospect from France to help bolster their squad for next season.