West Bromwich Albion are in a nine-way tussle featuring Bristol City for Huddersfield Town youngster Brahima Diarra, according FootMercato.
The 20-year-old is considered one of the brightest young talents in the Championship having emerged through the Terriers’ academy after joining the club in 2019. Comfortable in both the centre and the attacking areas of the midfield, he has made 19 appearances in all competitions and started the first four league games of the campaign.
Despite finding himself in the starting lineup under Neil Warnock, game time was harder to come by under Darren Moore and he has played 23 minutes over the last eight league outings. The youngster was an unused substitute in the previous two fixtures, although the ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss was sacked following the 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
Diarra is still highly-rated though, and champions-elect Leicester City have previously been linked. However, it now appears as if there are nine teams looking to swoop before the transfer window shuts tomorrow night.
According to reports from France, there is interest from Ligue 1, although both West Brom and Bristol City are amongst the teams looking to secure his signature should he become available in the next 24 hours.
The Mali under-23 international is out of contract at the end of the season and there is currently no talk of fresh terms being agreed. As such, this represents Huddersfield’s last opportunity to cash in, or run the risk of potentially losing one of their hottest young talents for free at the end of the season.
West Brom are keen to bring in a midfielder before the end of play tomorrow to bolster their ranks. Manager Carlos Corberan has performed wonders to place the Baggies firmly in the race for the play-offs, although two defeats in their last three means that they are just two points above seventh-placed Sunderland.
They’ll hope to bounce back this weekend when they take on city rivals Birmingham City at the Hawthorns. Huddersfield, meanwhile, remain on the hunt for a new manager and sit three points above the bottom three ahead of their potential six-pointer against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Writer’s View
Diarra was highly rated by Neil Warnock, so it was bizarre to see his time on the pitch significantly drop under Darren Moore. A new manager could change that of course, but it may be a case of too-little-too-late should any bids be received over the course of the next 24 hours.
The fact that the likes of Leicester and West Brom are sniffing around shows the kind of talent the youngster has, and you have to believe that Huddersfield have attempted to negotiate fresh terms. Perhaps the player knows of interest elsewhere and is waiting to see what division his current employers will be in next season before making a decision.