What appeared to be a sealed deal for Ibrahima Ba to join RC Strasbourg has unexpectedly collapsed, sending shockwaves through the football world. While the official narrative points to a failed medical examination, the agent representing the Senegalese defender vehemently refutes this claim, alleging a conspiracy.
Contractual U-turn masked by a medical pretext?
The unfolding drama surrounding 21-year-old Ibrahima Ba has escalated into a public dispute. RC Strasbourg, aiming to bolster its defensive line under new coach Hugo Oliveira, believed it had secured a significant coup by acquiring the formidable Famalicão player, outmaneuvering Benfica Lisbonne, who were reportedly ready to offer a record €20 million. Ba himself had favored a reunion with his former coach. However, as medical examinations were underway in Alsace, the transfer abruptly collapsed. Initial reports quickly attributed the failure to medical issues.
This official explanation ignited furious reactions from the player’s camp. Breaking his silence this Saturday on social media, the central defender’s agent delivered a scathing account, directly accusing the Strasbourg management of intellectual and financial dishonesty.
“Quality doesn’t come cheap”
According to the player’s representative, the deal’s breakdown was never about physical condition but purely financial terms. During the contract signing session, the Alsatian club allegedly attempted to impose new conditions: « When the player’s contract was presented to us, we discovered a 33% reduction in the annual salary compared to what had been previously agreed upon. Lies ascended while the truth took the stairs. »
The agent clarified that the five-hour medical tests proceeded without any issues, to the extent that Ba was preparing for his official media photos for the club. It was only after the Ba camp’s categorical refusal to sign this reduced-wage contract that Strasbourg’s executives reportedly fabricated
