Strasbourg are set to sign Ibrahima Ba from Portuguese side Famalicão for a fee of €15 million, excluding bonuses, according to L’Équipe. The 21-year-old Senegalese defender has already completed his medical with the Ligue 1 club and is expected to finalize his move imminently.
Ba previously attracted interest from Benfica, but Strasbourg moved quickly to secure his signature. The transfer represents a significant investment for Strasbourg, who have been active in the transfer window, already bringing in Sousa, Candido, Del Blanco, Brantlind, and Piekutowski. The club is clearly aiming to bolster its squad ahead of the upcoming season.
This move will reunite Ba with Hugo Oliveira, his former coach at Famalicão. Oliveira’s presence at Strasbourg is likely to have played a role in Ba’s decision to join the French club. Ba has developed into a promising defender in Portugal, showcasing his potential with consistent performances for Famalicão.
However, the club is currently operating under financial constraints, having recently been sanctioned by UEFA with a €13 million fine for breaching financial fair play regulations. Despite this, Strasbourg appears committed to strengthening its team. The arrival of Ba adds much-needed depth and quality to the Strasbourg defense, and the club will hope he can make an immediate impact. This acquisition signals Strasbourg's ambition to compete at a higher level in Ligue 1.
