Moussa Diaby &#8211; CaughtOffside

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Aston Villa eyeing Tottenham star as Diaby replacement

To replace him, it has been reported that Villa are eyeing a shock move for Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski.

The report claimed that they have contacted Spurs regarding a move for the Swede as replacement for Diaby.

However, Spurs will not be interested in selling him, unless the offer is too tempting to refuse.

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Aston Villa preparing the sale of 46-capped international player alongside Moussa Diaby

CJ — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 17:04:35 +0000

Aston Villa are preparing to sell left-back Lucas Digne this summer, according to reports.

The 46-time France international joined Villa from Everton in January 2022 and has notched four goals and 10 assists in 93 appearances for the club across all competitions — Digne also started 27 of Aston Villa’s 38 Premier League games last season, scoring once and setting up another three goals.

However, Digne’s place in Unai Emery’s team is under threat after Villa signed Dutch left-back Ian Maatsen from Chelsea this summer, while Villa also have Spaniard Alex Moreno and young English talent Lino Sousa already on their books.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are now preparing to sell Digne to clear some space in their squad and on their wage bill following a busy summer that has seen them bring in the likes of Cameron Archer, Jaden Philogene, Samuel Iling-Junior and Lewis Dobbin alongside Maatsen.

A double French departure for Villa?

Of course, Digne may not be the only Frenchman heading for the Villa Park exit door this summer.

Rumours of his departure follow closely from reports linking winger Moussa Diaby with a move to Saudi side Al Ittihad.

According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between the two clubs have entered the ‘final stages’, with a fee in the region of €55m in the process of being agreed.

???? Negotiations between Al Ittihad and Moussa Diaby are at final stages after progress made this week, almost there.

All parties feel the deal will get done with details still being discussed on fee in excess of €55m.

??? pic.twitter.com/DKlf5a7pR6

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2024

Aston Villa have already sold Douglas Luiz (to Juventus), Tim Iroegbunam (to Everton) and Morgan Sanson (to Nice) this summer to ensure they balance the books ahead of their first Champions League campaign since winning the competition in 1982.

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Aston Villa make surprise approach to sign popular Tottenham player

CJ — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 21:58:45 +0000

Aston Villa have made a shock enquiry for Tottenham Hotspur forward Dejan Kulusevski as a potential replacement for Moussa Diaby, according to reports.

France international Diaby has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer, with Italian journalist Rudy Galetti reporting that Villa and Al Ittihad have already agreed terms, while the player has reached a verbal agreement.

That will leave Unai Emery in serious need of a high-quality winger after he guided Aston Villa to Champions League qualification.

One such name to have been whispered has been Spain’s Euro 2024 star Nico Williams, although his high wage demands look to have put Villa off.

Aston Villa to sign Kulusevski?

It looks like Villa will fail in their attempts to sign Willams, but Spurs winger Kulusevski has emerged as another potential replacement for Diaby.

According to a report from Football Transfers (via TBR), Villa have contacted Spurs regarding a possible move for Kulusevski this summer.

However, it’s understood there is no pressure for Tottenham to sell the Sweden international, who still has four years left to run on his contract.

Kulusevski joined Spurs on loan from Juventus for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign and the whole of the following season. That loan was made permanent for £25m (via BBC Sport) in the summer of 2023.

The 24-year-old has so far notched 15 goals and 19 assists in 96 appearances across all competitions for the Lilywhites, becoming a fan favourite thanks to his creativity and high work rate.

But despite his popularity and Tottenham’s strong negotiating position, Football Transfers’ report also states that the London club have begun discussions to sign Portugal international Pedro Neto from Wolves this summer — potentially boosting Villa’s chances of landing Kulusevski.

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Aston Villa transfer news: £100m duo highlighted as ‘more realistic’ targets than Nico Williams

CJ — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 21:28:49 +0000

Aston Villa have a ‘more realistic’ chance of signing Crysencio Summerville or Morgan Gibbs-White than Nico Williams this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Midlands club are a more attractive prospect in this summer’s transfer market than in previous years after finishing fourth in the Premier League and qualifying for the Champions League.

Villa emerged as a shock name linked to the signing of Athletic Club star Williams, who stood out as one of the players of the tournament as Spain went all the way at Euro 2024 — named Man of the Match for the 2-1 win over England in the final and named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament after notching two goals and an assist.

Unai Emery may well be on the lookout for a high-quality winger with France international Moussa Diaby heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Aston Villa to be priced out of Williams deal

However, according to Jacobs, Villa are yet to enter the race for Williams, with Barcelona and Chelsea more prominent suitors for the winger’s signature.

But even they face a battle to get a deal over the line, with high wage demands putting both clubs off.

“Aston Villa have not to date entered the race for Nico Williams,” Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT. Barcelona still remain the club to watch. Chelsea haven’t entirely walked away but won’t rekindle interest unless the overall package drops. They made the decision before Euro 2024 and nothing has changed since.

“Barcelona are hoping Williams either drops his wage or accepts personal terms in a structure that suits Barca given their precarious financial situation. This could involve deferred wages, for example.”

Rather than breaking the bank for Williams, Jacobs believes Villa may be better off pursuing the likes of Summerville of Leeds United or Nottingham Forest’s Gibbs-White — valued at £40m and £60m, respectively.

“Villa would be handed a healthy budget if Diaby is sold on their terms, but Williams’ wages are the real issue for potential suitors,” Jacobs added. “I think there is a more realistic chance Villa look at players like Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville or Morgan Gibbs-White at Nottingham Forest.”

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Aston Villa’s reason for holding out on £50m+ fee for Moussa Diaby revealed

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 06:54:39 +0000

Just a year after signing for Aston Villa, Moussa Diaby will shortly be confirmed as having made a move to the Saudi Pro League.

A switch to Al Ittihad is reportedly almost done and dusted and, bizarre as it seems, brings into sharp focus the threat that remains for Premier League clubs from a league that’s only rated as the 68th best in the world (TeamForm).

The same rating places the Premier League at the very top, so the only reason that players can be tempted to move to Saudi remains financial.

Aston Villa want £50m+ for Moussa Diaby… and with good reason

No amount of banging the drum by Cristiano Ronaldo and others is going to change that.

Diaby has made his bed and will shortly have to lie in it, but Villa, to their credit, have stuck to their guns in terms of a transfer fee.

As Football Insider note, more than £50m is required for Diaby to move on, though there’s also a big reason why the Villains value their player as such, given they paid £43m to Bayer Leverkusen for his services.

Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby is set to sign for Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ittihad

The same outlet suggest that, in fact, Villa still owe the Bundesliga champions around half of that fee, and will therefore have to square off that debt once the player is sold.

Diaby’s apparent insistence at leaving the club, particularly given that Villa will be involved in their first Champions League campaign in four decades, will almost certainly have left a sour taste.

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However, in director of football operations, Monchi, Villa have one of the shrewdest operators in the transfer market.

It would surprise no one if he’s lined up as big a name as Diaby once the Frenchman bids goodbye to the club for the final time.

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Al-Ittihad pushing to complete deal for Aston Villa’s club record signing

Charlie Patrick — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 21:16:47 +0000

Saudi side Al-Ittihad are pushing to sign Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Diaby arrived at Villa Park in a club record deal worth up to £52m last from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, and played a key role as Unai Emery’s side secured a top four finish.

Villa have been busy in the market so far as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign next season.

Al-Ittihad pushing to sign Diaby

Diaby had the opportunity to join the Saudi Pro League last summer, but it appears after just one season at Villa Park he could be set to make the switch.

The 25-year-old made 54 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring ten goals and proving nine assists.

Jacobs has reported that Al-Ittihad are now pushing to sign the Frenchman and they have offered him a salary of close to €15m with bonuses.

He took to X.com and said:

“Al-Ittihad pushing to sign Moussa Diaby, Diaby offered a salary of close to €15m with bonuses.

“Fee not yet agreed, but Ittihad offer closer to Villa’s €70m+ valuation, structure of the deal key.

“Diaby wasn’t in the squad for Walsall friendly.”

Al-Ittihad pushing to sign Moussa Diaby.??
– Diaby offered a salary of close to €15m with bonuses
– Fee not yet agreed, but Ittihad offer closer to Villa's €70m+ valuation
– Structure of the deal key
– Diaby wasn't in the squad for Walsall friendlyhttps://t.co/MXrRLAOZv3

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 17, 2024

Jacobs adds that Diaby is still part of Emery’s plans but the club would sanction a sale if the money on offer was to good to turn down.

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If Diaby does leave, Villa already have options to replace him having signed wingers Jaden Philogene and Samuel Iling-Junior, and the potentially lucrative transfer fee could be used to help pay for Amadou Onana who is close to completing his £50m move from Everton, or improve other areas of the squad.

Al-Ittihad have recently appointed former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc as their new manager, and if Diaby does complete his move to the club he will be playing with the likes of N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema.

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Aston Villa have named their price for Moussa Diaby with Al Ittihad ready to pounce

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:38:05 +0000

It’s only been a year since Moussa Diaby joined Aston Villa, however, the Frenchman appears likely to be on the move once again.

Al Ittihad are rumoured to be circling and given that the Saudi Pro League are understood to have almost endless reserves of cash available for the right players, it’s not likely to be too much longer before another Premier League star is persuaded to swap the cold English climate for the sunnier climbs of the Middle East.

Moussa Diaby set for Saudi Pro League switch

Indeed, talkSPORT note that the two clubs are in advanced talks for Diaby’s transfer, however, Al Ittihad will have to pay through the nose if they want to ensure the move goes through.

The outlet suggest that Villa will only do business for £60m, which is markedly more than the £43m that the Midlands-based outfit paid for him 12 months ago.

Moussa Diaby is set to move from Aston Villa to the Saudi Pro League

That’s unlikely to be an issue for the Saudi’s, and therefore it will surely only be a matter of time before any deal is rubber stamped.

Whilst Diaby’s sale would inevitably weaken the Villains, the sale price does give them the option to go out and acquire a player of equal talent.

Given Monchi’s record in the transfer market, Unai Emery and the Villa supporters can be assured that the profit from the Diaby deal will be well spent.

With a Champions League campaign ahead as well as a tough domestic season, the quicker a deal can be completed the better for Villa, as it will allow them to build up the squad well ahead of the first match of the 2024/25 season.

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Aston Villa’s club record signing in advanced talks to leave the club a year after joining

Charlie Patrick — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 19:06:06 +0000

Al-Ittihad are in advanced talks with Aston Villa over a move for Moussa Diaby, with the Saudi side optimistic of getting a deal done according to reports.

Diaby joined Villa last summer in a club record deal from Bayer Leverkusen reportedly worth an initial £43m.

The 25-year-old made 54 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists as Unai Emery’s side qualified for the Champions League.

Diaby to swap Villa for Al-Ittihad

After just one season in the Premier League it appears Diaby could be set for a move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad.

The Frenchman had the opportunity to go to Saudi last summer but chose a move to Villa instead, and is reportedly keen on making the switch this summer.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has reported talks between the two clubs are at an advanced stage and the package being discussed is more than €55m.

He took to X.com and said:

“Al-Ittihad are in advanced talks with Aston Villa for Moussa Diaby. Even though Villa’s starting point was not to sell, understand the package discussed is actually higher than €55m. Ittihad are cautiously optimistic.

“Villa won’t sell at €55m or close. The overall package would need to be €70m+, which is not far off what Al-Hilal paid for Neymar. If Diaby departs, it will be very good money for Villa.”

Al-Ittihad are in advanced talks with Aston Villa for Moussa Diaby. Even though Villa's starting point was not to sell, understand the package discussed is actually higher than €55m. Ittihad are cautiously optimistic.?? pic.twitter.com/eTkFEBKSD2

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 16, 2024

Aston Villa have been busy in the transfer market and have made a number of signings to strengthen their squad ahead of Champions League football next season.

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The likes of Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley have joined the club, whilst Amadou Onana is close to completing his move from Everton, with Jaden Philogene also close to completing his return to the club from Hull City.

If Diaby does depart, Villa have plenty of other options including Philogene and Samuel Iling-Junior who could fill the void, but any transfer fee is likely to be reinvested into the squad to give the club the best possible chance of dealing with Champions League football.

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Exclusive: French contingent behind Moussa Diaby’s expected switch to Saudi

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 10:18:48 +0000

The French players at Saudi Pro League side, Al Ittihad, are believed to behind the move for Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby.

N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema have been plying their trade in Saudi Arabia for the past year, and despite having also received interest in his services from Al Nassr and Newcastle United, it seems that the Frenchman is ready to join his countrymen, having accepted Al Ittihad’s three-year contract, with the option for a further year.

Aston Villa could cash in with Moussa Diaby sale

CaughtOffside sources with knowledge of negotiations note that the Pro League side, who finished in fifth last season but a mammoth 42 points behind eventual winners, Al Hilal, are ready to make an opening bid of €60m for Diaby.

Whilst it’s unclear how receptive the Midlands-based side would be to such an offer, it would allow them to place bids for the likes of Jaden Philogene, Pedro Neto, Raphinha and Johan Bakayoko, all of whom seem to have been linked with the club of late.

Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby could soon sign for Al Ittihad

The appointment of Laurent Blanc at Al Ittihad could be a deciding factor in the player’s decision to swap the English top-flight for the 68th best league in the world (TeamForm), and one can only assume that his salary package will dwarf that which he currently receives at Villa.

If Unai Emery and Monchi were feeling a little bruised that a player that’s only been at Villa Park for a year wants to move on, they can perhaps be comforted in the knowledge that they’ll get some decent money for a player whose heart clearly isn’t in it.

With a Champions League campaign to come in 2024/25 too, the Villains only need players that are willing to wear the shirt with pride and will go above and beyond for the cause.

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Saudi side Al Ittihad insisting on signing Aston Villa star; negotiations with club to begin soon

Mehdi Gokal — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:20:38 +0000

Aston Villa striker Moussa Diaby has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer.

SPL side Al Ittihad have shown a keen interest in securing the services of the 25-year-old and are reportedly willing to go to lengths to sign him.

Saudi side wants to sign Aston Villa star Moussa Diaby

Journalist Gianluigi Longari took to Twitter to share an update on the transfer. As per him, the Saudi side are very keen to sign him and have put forward their deal for the player. They are now waiting for the player to give the go ahead on the personal terms after which the negotiations will begin with Aston Villa.

He shared the following update (translated below):

“Al Ittihad also insists on Moussa #Diaby for whom there would be a general agreement on personal terms. Once the player’s approval has been received, negotiations with Aston Villa #AVFC should begin.”

????Al Ittihad insiste anche per Moussa #Diaby per il quale ci sarebbe un accordo di massima sui termini personali. Una volta ricevuto l’ok del giocatore dovrebbe partire la trattativa con l’Aston Villa #AVFC https://t.co/qeVUrBnC35

— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) July 11, 2024

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