What really transpired between Racing Club de Strasbourg and Ibrahima Ba? The Senegalese defender was set to join the Alsace-based club on Friday before the transfer collapsed at the last moment. Initially, reports suggested the player had failed his medical examination.

The agent managing Ba’s interests has strongly refuted these claims. In a cryptic social media post late last night, the agent wrote, “I won’t allow anyone to lie when it comes to my player.”

“We identified a 33% annual salary reduction”

This morning, the agent, identified only as Alioune, elaborated further. “When the player’s contract was presented, we discovered a 33% cut in the annual salary compared to what had been agreed. Lies were taking the elevator while the truth was taking the stairs,” he stated.

“After 4 to 5 hours of medical tests, we were told everything was fine and that the player would proceed to media duties. It was only after we refused to sign a contract with a reduced salary that the club suddenly raised concerns about his health. After waiting for hours, we returned to Portugal. The moment we made that decision, the media announced that Ibrahima Ba had failed his medical. That’s completely false,” he added.

Taking aim at Strasbourg’s recent financial troubles, the agent added, “If financial fair play has hit you with a hefty fine, that’s not our responsibility.”

Echoes of the Enciso precedent

Is Ibrahima Ba’s potential transfer to Racing Club de Strasbourg now completely off the table? It appears so, though nothing is ever certain in football. Last summer, Julio Enciso faced similar medical complications before eventually joining Strasbourg days later. Could history repeat itself?