Overview

• Sunderland have agreed to pay Strasbourg £27m up front plus £3m in add-ons and a sell-on clause for the 21-year-old, subject to a medical and personal terms.
• The transfer is the Black Cats’ second club-record signing this window following the sale of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund.
• Diarra captained Strasbourg last season, making 30 Ligue 1 appearances with four goals and five assists while earning senior Senegal caps.
• Premier League rivals Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Aston Villa had all expressed interest before Sunderland secured the midfielder.
• Sporting director Florent Ghisolfi and manager Régis Le Bris have tapped their French football networks to target young, high-potential talent for the club’s return to the top flight.