Premier League side make club-record signing in £30m deal signifying bold statement of intent ahead of new campaign

Sunderland have made a statement of intent ahead of their first Premier League season in eight years by signing a player for a club-record fee. 

The Black Cats will bolster their midfield with a £30million signing of a player who has shone in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg. 

He made his debut for them in 2021 and has gone on to make 92 league appearances for the French side. 

But the player in question is now set for a big-money move to the Premier League ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. 

The midfielder has also made 11 appearances at international level for Senegal since making his debut in 2024. 

Now he will have a chance to impress on a bigger stage ahead of his move to the Stadium of Light.

Regis Le Bris will be hoping to keep his side in the top flight after winning promotion

Habib Diarra will make the switch to Wearside in a transfer that was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

His move comes after Sunderland secured promotion to the top flight courtesy of a dramatic play-off final victory over Sheffield United in May. 

Regis Le Bris’ side were trailing for the majority of the contest after Tyrese Campbell’s 25-minute opener. 

But Sunderland drew level with 14 minutes remaining thanks to Eliezer Mayenda’s strike to drag them back into the contest. 

Their supporters were then sent into dreamland when substitute Tom Watson scored in the 95th minute to seal his team’s ascension to the Premier League. 

Sunderland will be hoping their latest campaign in the top flight is far more successful than the last time they were in English football’s premier division. 

The 2016-17 season was one to forget on the pitch as they finished bottom of the table with just six wins all season. 

That saw them rooted to 20th position as they ended the campaign 16 points from safety – a feat they will hope they do not emulate under Le Bris.