adminRegis Le Bris Dips into Ligue 1 Again as Sunderland Target Hamed Traore After Diarra Deal
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris is once again turning to his native France in a bid to strengthen his squad, continuing a recruitment trend that has already yielded results on Wearside.
The French manager’s recent midfield signing wasted no time making an impact, grabbing an assist against Middlesbrough and a goal versus Luton not long after his arrival. Now, it looks like Le Bris is ready to dip into the Ligue 1 talent pool once more.
Sunderland Set Sights on £14m Hamed Traore
Having already secured Habib Diarra—who’s set to cost a club-record £30m—Sunderland are not showing any signs of slowing down. According to Corriere Dello Sport, via Roker Report, the Black Cats are now pursuing Bournemouth’s Hamed Traore, who enjoyed a standout loan spell at Auxerre last season.
Despite impressing in France, the Cherries are reportedly open to parting ways with the £14m-rated attacker as they reshape their squad this summer. Traore is also on the radar of Fiorentina, Sassuolo, Parma, and Marseille, but Sunderland remain firmly in the mix.
Traore thrived in Ligue 1, netting 10 goals and providing 2 assists across 26 games, showcasing his versatility across the front line—whether out wide or operating as a number 10. Sunderland see him as another potential gem from the French top flight, and pairing him with Diarra could offer serious attacking firepower for the Championship runners-up as they prepare for Premier League football.
Why Traore Would Complement Diarra Perfectly
Although Traore struggled to make a major impact at Bournemouth—scoring just once in 13 games—his performances in France reminded everyone of his true potential. At Auxerre, he was a consistent threat, combining flair with productivity and bouncing back from a challenging spell on the south coast.
Diarra, meanwhile, is known for his drive from midfield and has the versatility to play either in a deeper role or as an attacking outlet. His Ligue 1 campaign yielded four goals and five assists across 30 appearances, with an impressive nine big chances created.
Together, Diarra and Traore offer a tantalising mix of creativity, dynamism, and fight—qualities that could prove vital as Sunderland aim to survive their first season back in the top flight.
Traore vs Diarra – Ligue 1 2024/25 Stats Comparison:
Stat Hamed Traore Habib Diarra
Games 26 30
Goals 10 4
Assists 2 5
Touches per game 42.2 43.5
Shots per game 2.6 0.9
Accurate passes per game 17.4 (78%) 26.3 (87%)
Key passes per game 1.1 0.9
Big chances created 4 9
Big chances missed 5 2
Duels won per game 4.9 3.3
(Stats via Sofascore)
The duo’s willingness to work hard for the team—alongside their attacking output—makes them ideal additions to Le Bris’ Sunderland project. Traore has already been called a “magnificent” talent by scout Jacek Kulig, while Diarra has been described as a “complete midfielder” by analyst Ben Mattinson.
If Sunderland can land both players, it would mark a significant statement of intent. And with more signings likely to follow, the Black Cats’ ambitious recruitment drive may yet give them a fighting chance in the Premier League next season.
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