Despite scoring 6 goals and providing 8 assists in his debut season at Aston Villa, there was a feeling that 25-year-old Moussa Diaby didn’t quite replicate his stellar form from his time at Leverkusen.
Following a somewhat unsettled first season at Aston Villa, despite the club’s success in securing a spot in the 2024/25 Champions League, rumors about Diaby moving to Saudi Arabia have resurfaced.
Last summer, Diaby chose to join Unai Emery’s Aston Villa over playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, opting to compete for Champions League qualification instead.
Now, Diaby is attracting significant interest from Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, a team that boasts stars like Karim Benzema and has recently appointed French legend Laurent Blanc as their new manager.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Al-Ittihad initially offered €55 million to Aston Villa for Diaby, which would represent a €15 million profit for the Premier League club, who are looking to increase their revenue to sustain their ambitious spending in pursuit of Champions League success.
However, Villa is holding out for a higher fee from Al-Ittihad, as manager Unai Emery still sees Diaby as a crucial part of his plans despite an inconsistent first season at Villa Park.
This strategy by Aston Villa is smart for two reasons. Firstly, they have the leverage to negotiate a higher fee from Al-Ittihad or another Saudi club for a talented right winger who is currently in his prime.
Secondly, it sends a message to Saudi clubs that they must pay a premium price for a player of Diaby’s caliber, who can significantly contribute to a team aiming for Champions League qualification like Aston Villa.
In addition, Diaby could significantly benefit Aston Villa under Emery’s management, given his track record of double-digit goals and assists in a single season. Aston Villa should consider retaining him for another season, acknowledging his €40 million price tag reflects his quality.
If Villa decides to sell Diaby, they should aim for a substantial profit based on his potential performance next season under Emery and in the Champions League.
Diaby, aged 25, remains highly talented despite a challenging first season in the Premier League. Villa should approach negotiations with Al-Ittihad cautiously, considering smart sales strategies, while also valuing Emery’s continued confidence in Diaby as a goal-scoring winger.
