Bayer Leverkusen has rejected an offer from Aston Villa for Moussa Diaby (24). While “sky“ reports of an offer of around 45 million euros, writes thetable football“ that it was less than 30 million euros – the Werkself are reportedly ready to talk from 60 million euros. The transfer expert Fabrizio Romano again reported that it was 35 million euros plus bonuses and that Diaby wanted the transfer – the negotiations between the clubs are therefore going to the next round.
Performance data from Moussa Diaby
An offer is also said to have come in from Saudi Arabia, which according to the “kicker” came from Al-Nassr FC and was worth 50 million euros – a well-known player from the Bundesliga is still missing from the Saudi Pro League’s list of entrants. Cristiano Ronaldo’s (38) employer was recently banned from reporting by FIFA due to outstanding payments (to the news). Diaby, who is under contract until 2025, is currently valued at €50m, having had a career high of €60m in 2022. Bayer has said goodbye to eight players so far this summer, only Mitchel Bakker (23, Atalanta) paid a fee of 10 million euros.
Diaby was brought in as a talent from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 for 15 million euros and has so far collected 97 points in 172 games. If Leverkusen let the French winger go for around €60m this summer, it would be the second most expensive sale in the club’s history after Kai Havertz (24, Arsenal) transferred to Chelsea. Should Aston Villa be awarded the contract, Bayer’s four most expensive departures would all have been drawn into the Premier League. Among them is Diaby’s ex-colleague Leon Bailey (25), who has been with Villa since 2021.
With Bailey, Havertz & Co.: The most expensive sales by Bayer Leverkusen → Click here for the gallery!
Diaby has also been linked in the rumor mill in recent months with the likes of Newcastle United, PSG and Arsenal – all clubs competing in the Champions League. The Europa League awaits with Bayer while the “Villans” play for the Conference League.
Rumor: Moussa Diaby on Aston Villa
However, the team of coach Unai Emery has higher ambitions and wants to underline them with a strong summer of transfers in order to attack the Champions League ranks in 2023/24. The squad value of the Birmingham club is already €552m after the well-known additions of Pau Torres (26, from Villarreal) and Youri Tielemans (26, from Leicester) – the Bayer squad is currently the second most valuable at €473m the Bundesliga.
Most valuable squad in the world: BVB slips out of the top 20 – Bayern between Barça & Real → Click here for the gallery!