A real revelation last year in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg, Habib Diarra was scheduled to leave Alsace last summer. Yes, but in the meantime, the consortium of investors BlueCo, led by American businessman Todd Boehly, and already owner of Chelsea, has bought the RCSA. As a result, the young midfielder whose popularity had exploded at the end of the season remained in Strasbourg despite several offensives from RC Lens and several English clubs who ardently wanted to recruit him.
A nice blow at the moment for the club coached by Patrick Vieira who could only rejoice at retaining one of the greatest promises in French football. But like its training club, this 2023-24 season is much more complicated to approach. Between a game plan that is difficult to put in place, a prolific summer recruitment, but very young, and results at half mast, it is difficult for Habib Diarra to find his place, especially after this very hectic offseason. “Being with the French team allowed me to breathe a little, even if I don’t hide the fact that I feel very good in Strasbourg, in the group and the club everything is perfect. Afterwards, there were a lot of stories around me and it’s true that it disturbed me. This is the first time I’ve experienced this and if there are future ones, I’ll know how to handle it. It’s part of the job, I’m discovering this side and now I’m 100% with the club”he explained at the beginning of September.
RC Lens has not forgotten Habib Diarra
Especially since when the adductors get involved, it makes everything more complicated. A player appreciated by Thierry Henry, who trusted him during the last matches, Diarra (19 years old) was not called up during the last rally due to his precarious physical state. An upset start to the season which makes several clubs want to come back and take the temperature regarding the Strasbourg number 19 who has played 9 matches for a goal in Ligue 1 this season.
According to our information, RC Lens is back in the news. The Artesian club, not really satisfied with its midfielder despite the superb integration of Nampalys Mendy and the remarkable emergence of young Neil El Aynaoui, has not forgotten Diarra and has tested the waters for this winter. But the RCL, which is also working behind the scenes to find a striker in January, is not the only one on the file since Nottingham Forest has also come forward.
Nothing to move the French U21 international who has swept away any desire to leave Strasbourg this winter. Habib Diarra, who will be able to take advantage of this international break to get back on his feet, absolutely wants to confirm his successful 2022-23 season with his training club. If this is the case, the time may have come during the summer of 2024 to look elsewhere…
