After what looked like a done deal, Senegalese defender Ibrahima Ba’s move to Racing Club de Strasbourg collapsed at the last minute. The player’s representative has now dismissed the club’s claim that the transfer fell through due to a failed medical examination.
Negotiations had reached an advanced stage, with both parties close to finalizing terms. Yet, on the day the defender was expected to join the Alsace-based club, the deal unexpectedly unraveled. Racing Club de Strasbourg initially cited medical concerns as the reason for the breakdown, a statement that has since been strongly contested.
agent fires back at racing club over contract dispute
In a series of statements shared on social media, Alioune, an agent representing Ba through Asfan Sports Management, accused the club of misleading tactics. The first salvo came in the form of a cryptic message posted late the previous night: “I will not allow anyone to lie when it comes to my player.”
The following morning, the agent expanded on these remarks, revealing a sharp discrepancy between the agreed terms and the final contract presented to Ba. “When the player’s contract was handed to us, we noticed a 33% reduction in the annual salary compared to what had been discussed,” he stated. “As the lies took the elevator up, the truth took the stairs down.”
medical tests cleared, contract issues cited
The agent went on to describe the timeline of events in detail. After four to five hours of medical evaluations, the club’s medical staff reportedly confirmed that Ba was fit to proceed. The player was even scheduled for media duties before the final paperwork was to be completed. However, the situation took a dramatic turn once Ba’s representatives rejected the revised contract with the reduced salary.
“Only after we refused to sign a contract with a 33% pay cut did the club suddenly raise concerns about the player’s health,” the agent explained. “After several hours of waiting, we returned to Portugal. The moment we made the decision to leave, the media announced that Ibrahima Ba had failed his medical. That is completely false.”
The agent also took aim at Racing Club de Strasbourg’s financial management, referencing the club’s recent UEFA fine for excessive spending. “If financial fair play has hit you with a hefty fine, that is not our responsibility,” he remarked.
a familiar pattern in transfer sagas?
The abrupt end to Ba’s potential move to Strasbourg echoes a similar incident involving Julio Enciso last summer. After complications during his medical at the club, Enciso initially left, only to later return and complete his transfer. Whether Ba’s situation will follow the same path remains uncertain, but the parallels are striking.