Aston Villa’s record signing Moussa Diaby appears to be nearing the exit door at Villa Park after reaching a ‘total agreement’ with another club.
Aston Villa made a huge statement of intent last summer when they signed winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen in a club record £51.9 million deal.
The 25-year-old was expected to light up the Premier League and started well in that fashion, scoring twice and assisting once in his first three matches.
Unfortunately, the fleet-footed Frenchman struggled to maintain that form throughout the season as he was shifted in and out of the starting XI.
Yet, Diaby still had a productive first campaign as he registered 10 goals and nine assists in all competitions while forming a decent partnership with Ollie Watkins.
So, it does seem strange that Villa are looking to sell the forward after just one season, although how he acted after being left out of the crucial double-header against Manchester City and Arsenal could explain why Emery is prepared to let him go.
Aston Villa reach ‘total agreement’ to sell Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad
When Saudi interest emerged in Diaby this summer, Villa knew they had an opportunity to get back what they paid for him in 2023.
It was reported on Tuesday that the Frenchman was preparing for his medical ahead of a £50 million move to Al-Ittihad and now, journalist Fabrice Hawkins claims that the two clubs have reached a ‘total agreement’ ahead of a transfer.
Hawkins states the fee Villa will receive for Diaby is 55m (£46m) however, there will be a bonus included in the deal and that could see them not lose anything on the blistering winger.
It seems it’s only a matter of time before the Villa player completes his move to Saudi while receiving a five-year contract reportedly worth $12 million a year.
Aston Villa are right to sell Moussa Diaby
Diaby finds the prospect of linking up with French contingent Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and manager Laurent Blanc an enticing one while the financial riches offered to him have obviously played their part.
At the current stage of his career, aged 25, you would think Diaby had ambitions of playing in the Champions League with Villa. However, it appears he wants to move on instead and the club are correct in letting him go.
The winger did show glimpses of his talent during 2023/24 and had a decent campaign all things considered but when looking at the chance to make their money back on him, Villa couldn’t turn that down.
Diaby blew hot and cold under Emery, so it would only take one injury or a downturn in form for his value to plummet. With an offer of £50 million on the table and the player pushing for a move, they had no other choice but to cash in.
Further, with the signing of Jaden Philogene to provide competition for the likes of Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia and Jacob Ramsey, Diaby wasn’t guaranteed minutes next term.
