This summer, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City both want to expand their defensive lineups.
Both Norwich and West Brom need to bolster during the summer window if they are to finish in the top six in the Championship the following year.
Moussa Diarra, a 23-year-old defender whose contract at Toulouse expires this summer, is reportedly of interest to both clubs, according to a report by Foot Mercato.
The Ligue 1 teams Marseille, Nice, and Rennes, along with the Spanish team Real Betis and a German club, are all keeping a close eye on the Mali international Diarra.
Norwich are interested in Diarra
Newly-appointed Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup is adept at developing young talent, playing attractive football and entertaining the fans, according to a Sky Sports interview with Alexander Riget, who is the technical director at Hoff Thorup’s former club, FC Nordsjaelland.
The Canaries’ are trying to lower the average age of their back line, having allowed centre-backs Danny Batth and Ben Gibson to depart the club this summer.
They have already signed 23-year-old Panamanian centre-back José Córdoba for an undisclosed fee from Levski Sofia, adding something different to their experienced defensive options in Grant Hanley and Shane Duffy.
Diarra is another defender who seemingly fits the profile that Hoff Thorup wants at the heart of his defence, with his age, physical abilities and quality on the ball enabling him to play the brand of football that the 35-year-old wants to implement.
West Brom could be in the market for a new defender
It is not a huge surprise that West Brom are interested in Diarra, as they could be about to lose their most prized defensive asset.
Cedric Kipre is attracting interest from clubs in England and abroad, after the centre-back played a key role in the Baggies’ defence that only conceded 47 goals in the Championship last season – the third fewest in the division.
Newly promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town, as well as clubs in France and Germany, are interested in the 27-year-old, according to Express & Star.
The defender is out of contract this summer, meaning that any of the interested clubs can sign him without having to pay a fee.
If West Brom lose Kipre this summer, Diarra would be an excellent replacement, especially considering that he is also out of contract.
Signing Diarra would be a real coup for Norwich or West Brom
If Norwich or West Brom manage to bring Diarra to the Championship this summer, it would be a real statement of intent from either club.
The 23-year-old made 22 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, as well as playing eight games in the Europa League before Toulouse were knocked out by Benfica.
Diarra has decided to leave the French club when his contract expires, and considering that top-flight clubs from abroad are showing an interest, it would be a real coup for Norwich or West Brom if they could sign him.
They will hope that the prospect of regular first-team football and a potential route to the Premier League will convince him to make the move to England.
If West Brom lose Kipre this summer, beating Norwich to the signing of Diarra would be an ideal way to fill the gap in the team.
