
The £30m Statement: Why Sunderland Are All In on Habib Diarra – and What It Spells for Le Bris’ Tactics
Habib Diarra’s imminent £30 million move to Sunderland marks a bold statement of intent from the newly-promoted Premier League side. Set to become the club’s most expensive signing, Diarra is expected to replace Jobe Bellingham in midfield—but the data suggests this isn’t just a like-for-like swap. The 20-year-old Senegalese international not only outperformed Bellingham in goals, assists, and key creative metrics last season, but he also did so in a tougher league against stronger opposition. With superior attacking output and a dynamic presence in the final third, Diarra’s arrival signals a shift in Sunderland’s midfield identity under Régis Le Bris—one that could reshape their approach entirely in the top flight.