Monchi could shock many by offloading one Aston Villa player this summer however, it could prove to be a stroke of genius.
The summer transfer window has started at a rapid speed at Villa Park in preparation for the 2024/25 campaign.
Monchi and Unai Emery have had a busy time to get the squad in order ahead of next season, with financial battles to fight before looking to upgrade positions.
As a result of Aston Villa’s PSR concerns, Douglas Luiz, Omari Kellyman and Tim Iroegbunam were sold, with others expected to depart.
Recently, there has been speculation regarding the futures of two players who arrived at Villa in 2023, with one shock transfer possibly in the pipeline.
Aston Villa could sell Moussa Diaby as Al-Ittihad plot improved transfer offer
Last summer, Emery shattered Villa’s record transfer fee to welcome Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spaniard acquired the winger from the Bundesliga for £51.9m however, just one year down the line he could now be sold.
Reports have linked Diaby with a move away from Villa Park as interest from the Saudi Pro League heats up, as Al-Ittihad are claimed to like the player.
In a fresh update, journalist Rudy Galetti reported that the Saudi club are prepared to offer Villa a fee of $65m (£50m) in instalments to buy Diaby this summer.
Galetti detailed that the Midlands club would be presented with an ‘upfront payment’ of $25m (£19m), adding that the two sides are in ‘constant contact’ in a bid to reach a full agreement.
It would be a shock for Villa to offload the Frenchman so soon into his Premier League career however, it could represent another masterclass from Monchi in the transfer window.
Monchi could complete a masterclass by ousting Diaby
There was so much excitement around Villa’s capture of Diaby in 2023 however, the 25-year-old failed to consistently impress Emery.
Towards the end of the season, the winger was forced to take up a spot on the bench as he was dropped by the manager for a series of below-par displays.
Although the forward’s numbers don’t read badly, contributing to 19 goals in all competitions, it’s clear that the manager doesn’t see him as a starter amid an increased fight for game time.
Now that Villa have signed players of a similar profile to Diaby in Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin and the pending arrival of Jaden Philogene, the duel for minutes will become even greater.
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While Diaby is capable of being a world-class talent on his day, the 25-year-old is certainly not irreplaceable at Villa and with a significant offer reportedly on the table, Monchi should sanction an early exit for the winger.
If the Villans can secure a sizeable fee for the 2023 arrival it would signify a stroke of genius from the Spaniard.
Given that Diaby’s place in the squad is not secure, the Midlands club would be wrong to decline a lucrative offer for the Frenchman after assessing his first season in claret and blue.
A fee of such amount is unlikely to come around again, particularly if the 25-year-old fails to make a greater impact next season.
