Belgian giants Anderlecht have opened negotiations with Spanish club Deportivo Alavés over the potential signing of Malian international Moussa Diarra, as the Mauves look to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of the new season. According to HLN, the Brussels-based club submitted an initial offer of approximately €2.5 million for the 24-year-old centre-back, though Alavés are holding out for a fee closer to €4 million.
Diarra, a commanding left-footed central defender, appears to be viewed as a direct replacement for veteran Jan Vertonghen, who announced his retirement at the end of the season. With Anderlecht in need of defensive reinforcements, the addition of a physically strong, left-sided centre-back fits the club’s immediate tactical and structural needs.
After joining Alavés last summer from Toulouse, Diarra featured prominently in La Liga, making 27 appearances across league and Copa del Rey competitions. Despite the team’s modest 15th-place finish, Diarra’s performances were solid enough to attract interest from outside Spain. Prior to his stint in La Liga, Diarra built an impressive resume in France, where he made over 100 appearances for Toulouse. He played a key role in their 2021/22 promotion-winning campaign, registering 30 appearances that season.
On the international stage, Diarra has earned caps for Mali, further underlining his growing reputation as a dependable presence at the back.
Anderlecht’s approach to this summer’s transfer window marks a shift from their relatively quiet activity last year. The club is also nearing a deal for Canadian midfielder Nathan-Dylan Saliba from MLS side CF Montréal, and reportedly has a list of additional targets in the pipeline.
Should the Mauves manage to bridge the valuation gap with Alavés, the acquisition of Moussa Diarra could represent a key building block in their efforts to re-establish domestic dominance and make a deeper run in European competition.
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