L'Équipe reported that Espanyol Barcelona, who are currently 10th in La Liga, approached Sékou Mara's representatives this winter in order to redirect his loan.

Several Serie A clubs are interested in Sékou Mara, alongside Anderlecht and Auxerre. Mara's career has been marked by high expectations without a real breakthrough, despite being a top talent at Bordeaux and being sold for millions to Southampton and Strasbourg. His market value has decreased to five million euros, but his salary remains high, with a contract at Strasbourg for four more years at 150,000 euros gross per month.