Senegalese defender Ibrahima Ba is set to continue his rise in European football after choosing a move to French Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg over Portuguese giants Benfica.
The highly-rated centre-back, who has impressed at FC Famalicão in Portugal, is expected to join Strasbourg in a deal reportedly worth €20 million.
Portuguese club Famalicão are also set to retain 15 per cent of any future transfer fee, while Ba remains under contract until 2030 before the move is completed.
The transfer represents one of the most significant moves involving a young Senegalese defender this summer and is another example of African players attracting strong interest from some of Europe’s leading clubs.
Although Benfica had been strongly linked with signing Ba, reports indicate the Senegalese defender opted for Strasbourg after being convinced by the French club’s long-term sporting project.
A key factor in his decision appears to have been the opportunity to reunite with Hugo Oliveira, who recently took over as Strasbourg manager after previously working with the player at Famalicão.
Ba rejected Benfica’s advances despite widespread expectations that he would move to Lisbon.
Instead, the defender chose to continue his development in Ligue 1, where Strasbourg believe he can become a cornerstone of their defence for years to come.
The move is viewed as a major success for the Alsace-based club, who have secured one of the most promising young defenders to emerge from the Portuguese league in recent seasons.
Ba joined Famalicão in the summer of 2024 and quickly established himself as a regular starter.
Since arriving at the club, he has made 27 appearances, scoring once and providing one assist while earning praise for his defensive maturity and consistency.
His performances have elevated his reputation across Europe, making him one of the continent’s most sought-after young African defenders.
Before moving to Portugal, Ba spent time with French club Valenciennes, giving him previous experience of French football before his expected return to the country.
For Strasbourg, the signing fits into a broader strategy of investing in young players with high potential while building a competitive squad capable of challenging in Ligue 1.
The deal is also a disappointment for Benfica, who had reportedly identified Ba as an important defensive target.
The Portuguese club had hoped the Senegalese defender would strengthen their back line following the departures of experienced defender Nicolás Otamendi and António Silva, who is reportedly set to join Premier League club AFC Bournemouth.
Missing out on Ba is therefore a setback for Benfica’s recruitment plans, particularly given the player’s age and long-term potential.
From an African perspective, the transfer is another encouraging sign of Senegal’s growing influence in European football.
The West African nation has established itself as one of the continent’s leading producers of elite talent, with players featuring in many of Europe’s top leagues.
Ba’s expected move to Strasbourg provides another platform for a young Senegalese footballer to continue his development at the highest level.
