West Bromwich Albion have joined the race for Huddersfield Town youngster Brahima Diarra alongside Leicester City, Bristol City and Hull City, according to Belgian media outlet Sudinfo Sports.
The 20-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and looks set to depart the John Smith’s Stadium. There is no sign of fresh terms being agreed and it was rumoured during the winter transfer window that the Terriers were willing to sell the youngster in order to avoid losing him for free.
Joining Huddersfield in 2019, big things were expected for the attacking midfielder. He made his debut at just 17-years-old in 2020 before he was given his first taste of regular first team football at Harrogate Town. He joined the Sulphurites for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign and scored his first senior goal in a 3-1 defeat against Crawley Town. However, after just 10 League Two appearances, he suffered an ankle injury which brought his season to an end.
Diarra has made 44 outings for Huddersfield since his spell in Yorkshire, where he also earned himself a call-up to Mali’s under-23 team. He is also expected to represent the nation in the upcoming Olympic games in Paris.
He has appeared on the radar of several clubs throughout the past few months, but there could now be a scramble for his signature at the end of the campaign. According to reports, West Brom are keen as they look to add young talent to their squad. Carlos Corberan could yet still lead his team to the Premier League, with the Baggies looking good value for a play-off spot. However, there is plenty of interest from elsewhere in the playmaker.
It is also claimed that Leicester are amongst those linked. The Foxes are also aiming for the top tier, showing that this is a player which clubs see as someone is capable of playing at the highest level. However, the duo aren’t alone, with Hull and Bristol City also interested, as well as a host of clubs from France, Belgium and Portugal.
The report also states that Diarra is keen to move on to pastures new in order to try his hand at a fresh challenge.
Writer’s View
This is a blow for Huddersfield, although not unexpected. The Terriers are staring down the barrel of League One football next season and this is a division in which Diarra will not see himself playing in, especially with the calibre of clubs expressing an interest.
Still, he could prove to be the one that got away. He has made just two appearances since the appointment of Andre Breitenreiter in February though, both of which came in the same month. This could be an interesting battle and is certainly one to keep an eye on throughout the summer.
