Sky Sports journalist makes Moussa Diaby Saudi claim amid Aston Villa links
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
If target Moussa Diaby was to join the Saudi Pro League it would reveal him to be an inappropriate player profile for Aston Villa, according to Dan Bardell.
Diaby has been strongly linked with a move to Villa Park with Villa and Bayer Leverkusen reportedly negotiating a fee for the Frenchman [The Athletic]. Meanwhile, Saudi side Al Nassr are also interested in Diaby with an agreement reportedly reached between both parties [Rudy Galetti].
The 24-year-old enjoyed another excellent season in the Bundesliga under manager Xavi Alonso, ending the campaign as the club’s top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions to help his side clinch a sixth-place Bundesliga finish and a Europa League semi-final.
However, despite Diaby being “ready for a move”, Bardell claims that he may not have the right attitude to play for Villa if he chooses Al Nassr over a European club, meaning that he could be a bullet well dodged.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “This is an exciting one because he’s a player that’s been linked with a host of clubs over the last few years and someone who’s a France international.
“For me, if you look at which international squad is the deepest and has the best players I think it’s France. He’s been in those squads so I am encouraged by that signing.
“He’s scored goals for Leverkusen, he’s got assists too and used to link up really well with Leon Bailey when they were at the club. He’s someone that’s ready for a move.
“The Saudi Arabia links are a little bit concerning, but for someone of his age, if he’s going to Saudi Arabia now, I wouldn’t want him anyway if that’s his attitude.
“I’m hopeful because of his age because we are in Europe and Villa are clearly a club that are going places. It’s a chance to step up and play in the Premier League which I think most footballers want to do.
“It used to be that most would want to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. Now, most want to be part of the Premier League and test themselves at that level because it’s the most competitive league.
“If Villa pushes and agrees on a fee then I think he will come. He’s clearly someone that they definitely hold a massive interest in, it’s just negotiations now.
“I expect within the next week or two that we’ll know a lot more about what’s going on with him. They’ve probably got players of a similar ilk further down their list on their radar as well like Harvey Barnes and Willy Gnonto. But out of the three of them, Diaby is the one I want.”
In other Aston Villa news, Bardell has made a big claim about a £26million Villa asset amid injury concerns.