Aston Villa conclude unbelievable Moussa Diaby transfer after £100m reveal
Bryan King is stunned by the amount of money Moussa Diaby is set to earn in Saudi Arabia after leaving Aston Villa.
The ex-Villa scout is not surprised that the forward accepted a transfer to Al Ittihad.
The club confirmed via their official website on Wednesday (24 July) that Diaby had left Villa after just one season at the club.
As reported by Sky Sports News (24 July), the Frenchman has signed a five-year contract with Al Ittihad worth almost £20million gross per year.
And King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – doesn’t think any other club would have offered that kind of money to the player.
“I don’t think he would earn that kind of money anywhere else,” King said.
“Therefore, it was always going to be difficult to turn down. If you go to Saudi Arabia it is either the end of your career or you’re going for the biggest payday of your life.
“He isn’t going to say no to that kind of money because he is now going to set him and his family up for the rest of their lives if he is sensible. I mean £20million-per-year, I can’t believe it.
“For Villa, they wouldn’t have got that kind of money from any other club in Europe and they’ve made their money back on him. Therefore, it is good business.”
Moussa Diaby set for massive payday with Al Ittihad after leaving Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s side will be playing UEFA Champions League football next season. As a result, Diaby had a chance to really kick on at Villa Park and make an impact on the European stage.
He scored 10 goals in his debut season and had scope to improve and grow into a better player in the West Midlands.
Therefore, supporters might have been surprised to discover that the 25-year-old had left.
However, after seeing the kind of money that was on offer, it is easy to see why Diaby decided to quit the club.
Any player would struggle to turn down that kind of money. As a result, Villa were essentially powerless in any attempt to keep hold of the player.
However, considering they have more or less made their money back, Emery is unlikely to be too bothered by Diaby’s exit.
In other Aston Villa news, Emery is keen to add a Tottenham midfielder to his ranks.
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