Better than Diarra: Sunderland pursuing deal to sign £25m midfielder

Sunderland’s recruitment team have, rightly, been lauded for the work that they did in the summer transfer window last year to build a team capable of staying in the Premier League.

The likes of Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, and Brian Brobbey came in to help the Black Cats to qualify for the Europa League in their first season back in the big time.

Not all of their signings went to plan, though, and there are still question marks over the club-record £27m deal they agreed for central midfielder Habib Diarra.

The 22-year-old talent did not enjoy the best first season in English football, scoring two goals and providing two assists in 20 appearances in the Premier League.

He also struggled with the physicality of the division. Diarra lost 55% of his ground duels and 54% of his aerial battles in the league for the Black Cats, as opposition players found it too easy to get the better of him.

Sunderland pursuing deal to sign Belgian star
The Senegal international, who went to the Africa Cup of Nations, did not score or create goals on a regular basis, or offer consistent defensive contributions to the team off the ball.

That may be why the club are now looking at a player who could arrive at the Stadium of Light as a much better option for Regis Le Bris in the middle of the park.