Aston Villa receive Moussa Diaby transfer offer, player has already agreed Villa Park exit
Al-Ittihad have proposed a £46.2million offer to sign Aston Villa forward Moussa Diaby, according to Santi Aouna.
The FootMercato journalist reported [16 July] that the Saudi Pro League side are working hard to secure the Frenchman’s services, already sending a bid.
It is understood that the 25-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the Saudi club ahead of a possible departure this summer [Gianluigi Longari, 11 July].
Diaby arrived at Villa Park on a £51.9million deal from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, as per The Guardian, which would mean the Villans could already lose money on their investment.
Aston Villa receive offer for Moussa Diaby
The French star has endured a mixed first campaign with Villa, even with Unai Emery leading them to Champions League qualification with a top-four Premier League finish.
He notched 10 goals and nine assists in 54 appearances in all competitions, which would seem like a successful first campaign with the Villans.
However, Diaby was often criticised for some of his displays throughout the season, with fans expecting more from their record signing.
A move to Saudi Arabia would allow Villa the best opportunity to make most of their money back on the player, though Emery will likely want to keep him around at Villa Park.
The forward has proven exactly what he can during multiple seasons in Germany, racking up 49 goals and 48 assists in 172 matches for Leverkusen across four years.
Now, with Champions League football to play next season, Diaby’s experience and influence will be more important than ever, having played both Champions League and Europa League with Leverkusen.
Diaby has the potential to lead Villa into the 2024/25 campaign, though recent reports would suggest Emery needs to start looking at the transfer market in order to fill the void about to be left by the player.
In other Aston Villa news, Don Goodman has urged the club to do all they can to stop one of their players from joining a Premier League rival.
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