Alou Diarra Eyes Belgian League Revival After West Ham Departure
Veteran French midfielder Alou Diarra could be set for a fresh start in the Belgian top flight, with Sporting Anderlecht reportedly expressing interest in securing his services.
The 32-year-old former France international is currently training with Bordeaux, the Ligue 1 side where he enjoyed one of the most successful spells of his career. Though a return to the Girondins remains a possibility, sources suggest that Diarra may opt for a move abroad, with Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League emerging as a likely destination.
According to Belgian daily Nieuwsblad, Anderlecht have been monitoring Diarra’s situation closely and are keen on bringing the experienced midfielder into their squad. The Brussels-based club are believed to see Diarra’s leadership qualities and wealth of experience as valuable assets in their domestic and European campaigns.
Diarra has been a free agent since parting ways with West Ham United. He joined the Premier League side in August 2012 but endured a frustrating stint at Upton Park. Hampered by injuries and limited opportunities, he made only 14 appearances over two seasons. A loan spell at Rennes in the latter half of the 2012-13 season also failed to reignite his form, leaving questions about his next move.
Despite the recent challenges, Diarra boasts an impressive résumé. He has previously represented several top-tier French clubs, including RC Lens, Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique de Marseille, and Bordeaux. His tenure at Bordeaux was particularly notable, helping the club clinch the Ligue 1 title in 2009 under Laurent Blanc’s management. His commanding presence in midfield also earned him 44 caps for the French national team, featuring in the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad that finished runners-up.
Diarra’s current presence at Bordeaux’s training facilities suggests he is working to regain peak fitness as he considers his next step. While Bordeaux have not ruled out a short-term deal, the lure of a new challenge in Belgium, particularly with a club of Anderlecht’s stature, may prove too tempting to ignore.
Should the move to Anderlecht materialise, it would mark Diarra’s first foray into Belgian football, potentially offering him a platform to revive his career and contribute meaningfully to a team with domestic title ambitions and regular European competition exposure.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Alou Diarra’s future remains open—but one thing is certain: the seasoned midfielder is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.
