Everton to strike Habib Diarra transfer after spectacular footage emerge

Everton must strike a deal for Habib Diarra before the 30 August transfer deadline, especially after the Strasbourg midfielder opened his account for the season.

Sean Dyche will be keen to add one more midfielder to his ranks before the summer transfer window slams shut, with the Toffees losing Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50million last month [BBC Sport].

Tim Iroegbunam and Idrissa Gana Gueye combined to form a midfield duo for the Toffees’ opening-day Premier League defeat to Brighton on Saturday 17 August, with James Garner yet to return from injury.

That meant that Jenson Metcalfe was Dyche’s only midfield option from the bench, which would suggest that Diarra could be the perfect purchase before 30 August.

The Evertonians have enquired about the 20-year-old midfielder, as per TEAMtalk, though a potential deal could set the club back £30million. After footage emerged from this weekend, however, some may feel the cash is worth it.

Everton to sign Habib Diarra as Amadou Onana replacement?

Like Onana, Diarra opened the scoring for his club as Strasbourg drew 1-1 with Montpellier on Sunday 18 August, but it was the nature of the goal that impressed.

While the 20-year-old is not known for his talent in front of goal, rather being an enforcer ahead of the backline, he swept home an audacious effort with ease in Ligue 1.

With eight goals in 70 appearances for Strasbourg, it is not totally unheard of for Diarra to hit the back of the net, so he certainly seems like a suitable replacement for Onana.

Goals have been hard to come by in recent seasons for the Toffees, with only Sheffield United scoring fewer in the Premier League last season, and relying on Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not a smart option.