Strasbourg’s Sékou Mara to join Auxerre on loan | OneFootball

Whilst the transfer window in France may have shut, clubs in Ligue 1 are still able to make one transfer, through the ‘joker’ system, which allows the recruitment of a player from another French side. AJ Auxerre are set to exploit this rule, according to a report from L’Équipe, by signing Sékou Mara (23) from Ligue 1 rivals RC Strasbourg Alsace.

Mara’s game time opportunities this season will likely be limited. Emanuel Emegha, who now wears the captain’s armband, is now undroppable, whilst Joaquín Panichelli has enjoyed a bright start to life at Strasbourg.

Auxerre had shown an interest in the former Southampton forward before the closure of the transfer window on Monday, whilst the Frenchman has also been linked with moves to Belgium and Switzerland, where the windows remain open.

However, with Theo Bair and Ado Onaiwu leaving, Auxerre were desperate to add an attacker to their ranks and now look set to do so. Mara will join on a straight loan deal, without a buy option, from Strasbourg. The player is already en route to complete the deal.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle