Sunderland ready £35m deal to sign Jobe Bellingham replacement
Sunderland are wasting no time in replacing Jobe Bellingham, who joined Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Despite securing promotion to the Premier League, the highly-rated youngster parted ways with the Black Cats.
Regis Le Bris is keen on bringing in a quality replacement in order to give his side the best chance of avoiding the drop.
Leeds United target Habib Diarra on the radar
According to Alan Nixon (27 June), the Wearside outfit have earmarked Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra as a replacement for Bellingham.
They’re eyeing a surprise late move to beat Leeds United to the 21-year-old’s services.
The Black Cats are preparing a package worth £35million to bring him to the Stadium of Light.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 30 | 4 | 5 | 6 | – | 2,357′ |
| Coupe de France | 3 | – | – | – | – | 81′ |
Leeds have been in pursuit for a while but have not offered what Sunderland are willing to for the Senegal international.
Strasbourg may be given the green signal by his club to speak to the Stadium of Light outfit ahead of a potential transfer.
Sunderland must secure Diarra’s services imminently
Signing Diarra for around £35million would be a coup for Sunderland, adding a dynamic, all-action midfielder to their Premier League squad.
The 21-year-old Strasbourg captain, with four goals and five assists in 30 Ligue 1 games during 2024/25, brings versatility, leadership and box-to-box energy, perfectly replacing Bellingham.
Diarra’s ability to score, create chances, and perform defensively suits Le Bris’ youth-focused recruitment model while adding top-flight quality to stave off relegation.
Beating Leeds, a direct relegation rival, to Diarra’s signature would be a significant statement, especially after Leeds’ £22-25million bids faltered due to negotiation issues.
Securing Diarra would not only bolster Sunderland’s midfield but also dent Leeds’ ambitions, giving the Black Cats a psychological and competitive edge in the survival battle.
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