Benched, then onto the plane
On Sunday, Mory Diaw watched from the sidelines while his teammates got on with it. Le Havre hosted Monaco in the Ligue 1 restart, with Lionel Mpasi in goal. A 0-1 defeat. The message in the dressing room was plain enough for everyone.
On Monday, Le Havre confirmed his move to Al-Shabab. Saudi Arabia, here he comes.
The goalkeeper is 33. He is coming off his best season in France, the one in which he kept Le Havre afloat for months. Foot Mercato had reported in recent days that the two clubs had struck a deal and only the paperwork remained. That bit is done now.
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Le Havre lose their anchor
“After a fine 25/26 season in Sky and Navy, Mory Diaw heads to Saudi Arabia and Al-Shabab, where he has been transferred. Thanks Mory and good luck for the future,” the Normandy club wrote.
Warm words. They usually mean something.
Diaw had been one of the few fixed points in a side that spent the season defending for its life. A goalkeeper like that, who can soak up pressure and stay focused, is not replaced in three days of a transfer window. Le Havre now have Mpasi as their clear first choice, with the rest of the window to sort out the cover behind him.
A final move that makes sense
For the Senegal international, the timing is hard to argue with. He played at the World Cup this summer with the Lions of Teranga. His stock has never been higher. At 33, a move to the Saudi Pro League offers a contract Ligue 1 could no longer match.
Al-Shabab, for their part, keep going after seasoned pros rather than headline names. The Riyadh club want stability, not a circus.
And there is the bigger picture in French football this summer. Mid-table clubs are cashing in on their leaders to the Gulf, banking the money, and moving on with younger, thinner squads. Le Havre are no exception.
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