The transfer of Ibrahima Ba to Strasbourg appeared all but finalized on Friday, yet the deal unraveled hours before the signing. Initially, reports suggested the Senegalese international had not passed his medical tests.

This explanation has since been challenged by the player’s representative, who manages his affairs through Asfan Sports Management. In a cryptic overnight Instagram post, the agent declared, “I won’t let anyone lie when it comes to my player.”

“A 33% pay cut was imposed without warning”

The agent, identified as Alioune, later elaborated in a detailed statement. “When the contract was presented, we discovered a 33% reduction in the annual salary compared to what had been agreed. Lies were taking the elevator while the truth was climbing the stairs,” he asserted.

After four to five hours of medical assessments, the club assured the player’s team that all tests were satisfactory and that he would proceed to media duties. “It was only after we refused to sign a contract with the reduced salary that the club suddenly raised health concerns,” the agent explained. “After hours of waiting, we returned to Portugal. The moment we left, reports claimed Ba had failed his medical. That is completely false.”

He went on to criticize Strasbourg’s financial situation, recently penalized by UEFA for overspending. “If financial fair play has hit you with a heavy fine, that’s not our problem,” he remarked.

Could this resemble the Enciso case?

Is the potential signing of Ibrahima Ba now a lost cause for Strasbourg? The situation certainly appears bleak. Yet, football transfers are full of surprises. Last summer, Julio Enciso experienced a similar setback with medical complications before eventually joining the club days later.