Lassana Diarra Transfer to Celtic Delayed by Paperwork Dispute
By BBC News
Lassana Diarra’s potential move to Celtic has hit a stumbling block, as administrative complications with his former club are reportedly delaying the transfer.
The 29-year-old French midfielder, recently released by Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, has been linked with a move to Scottish champions Celtic in recent days. However, the deal appears to be on hold due to Lokomotiv’s refusal to release key documentation required for Diarra to complete a free transfer.
Despite being contractually free to join a new club, Diarra cannot formalise any new agreement until the necessary release papers are provided by his former employers. The delay is understood to be causing frustration on all sides, with both the player and interested clubs awaiting clarity on his legal status.
Diarra, who has previously featured for clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Marseille, is believed to be keen on a move to Celtic Park as he looks to revive his career following a difficult spell in Russia.
Tottenham Hotspur are also reportedly monitoring the situation, with the Premier League side said to be considering Diarra as a potential midfield reinforcement. However, like Celtic, they too must wait for the bureaucratic issues to be resolved before any formal negotiations can advance.
It remains unclear why Lokomotiv Moscow are withholding the necessary documents. While neither Diarra’s representatives nor the Russian club have made official statements, reports suggest there may be a contractual dispute or unresolved terms related to the termination of his contract.
Diarra’s situation underscores the complexities that can arise in international football transfers, particularly when a player departs a club outside the standard transfer window or under contentious circumstances.
Having earned 34 caps for France and played at the highest levels of European football, Diarra remains an attractive option for clubs seeking experience and versatility in midfield. However, time may become a factor, with Celtic keen to finalise their squad and Diarra himself eager to return to competitive action.
For now, the former France international must wait as off-field complications delay what could be his return to British football after nearly a decade.
