Moussa Diaby destined for Aston Villa exit after Unai Emery decision v Walsall
Dan Bardell believes Moussa Diaby will leave Aston Villa after being absent from the squad for the friendly against Walsall.
Fabrizio Romano reported via X on 19 July that negotiations between the Villans and Al Ittihad are at the “final stages” with a deal “almost” completed.
Amid transfer negotiations with the Saudi outfit, the France international was absent from the matchday squad as Unai Emery’s side won 3-0 at the Bescot Stadium.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes Diaby’s non-appearance could point towards a move to Saudi Arabia being close after just 12 months at Villa Park.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “Diaby not being in the squad signals that his head is probably elsewhere.
“He’s likely to be mulling over his future at the moment. There’s a very attractive proposition on the table from Saudi Arabia.
“It speaks volumes that he wasn’t in the squad against Walsall. I expect him to go now and I completely understand why Villa would take up that option.
“It shows that Villa are going to be in the market for someone else who can play in that position. He doesn’t quite have Emery’s trust.“
Moussa Diaby looks set to leave Aston Villa
Just a year after moving to Villa Park, it now looks as if the 25-year-old is going to depart in a transfer to the Saudi Pro League.
Diaby had an up-and-down debut season in the Premier League but was a consistent figure in the Villa squad, featuring in 54 matches [FotMob].
In those appearances, the Frenchman scored 10 goals while providing an additional eight league assists.
The PSG Academy product was inconsistent and frustrating at times and was often reduced to substitute appearances under Emery.
The Villans seem to be taking the opportunity to make a profit on the versatile attacker and potentially reinvest in the likes of Nico Williams or Joao Felix in the transfer window.
In other Aston Villa news, Morgan Rogers backed after for a successful season after what he did against Walsall.
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