Olympique Lyon are set to send Leeds United target Mahamadou Diawara to Royal Antwerp on a season long loan with an option to buy, Softfootball reports.
Antwerp want Diawara as a potential replacement for Doumbia. The club is seeking last-minute reinforcements before the transfer window closes in Belgium on September 8th. The Belgian club recently sold Senne Lammens to Manchester United.
According to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, the deal is in its final stages pending medicals as both clubs have already agreed to the player moving clubs. He wrote:
Understand the deal is done for Mahamadou Diawara from OL to Royal Antwerp.
€250k loan fee, €3m buy option clause plus 10% sell-on clause, salary covered by Antwerp.
Medical authorized and scheduled on Sunday.
Diawara made his Lyon debut back in the 2023/2024 season, where he played only 12 matches in all competitions. Last season he featured in just four games for the side before being loaned out to fellow Ligue 1 side Le Havre in January.
The 20-year-old started just six of the 17 matches he played in Ligue 1 across his time with Lyon and Le Havre, providing one assist. His playing time has been so few and he wants to try elsewhere this season.
Diawara could get more playing time with the Belgium side Antwerp despite having some strong options in midfield like former Leicester man Dennis Praet, who plays alongside Mahamadou Doumbia and they have been impressive in the start of the Pro League season.
Diawara’s playing style is characterized by his strong defensive attributes. He can play comfortably in midfield and in defense as he is known to enjoy tackling but he also contributes offensively by making plays and getting teammates open. Diawara also has box-to-box ability because of his strong work rate and winning duels to regain possession. He also demonstrates good ball control and composure.
Royal Antwerp have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season and will hope the addition of Diawara can help them maintain that form.
