Moussa Diaby transfer stance revealed as Aston Villa talks start
Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby is of strong interest to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad
Moussa Diaby is understood to be open to joining Al-Ittihad this summer as the Saudi Pro League side continue negotiations with Aston Villa.
French legend Laurent Blanc was recently appointed as the new manager of Al-Ittihad, who are set to sign Houssem Aouar from Lyon and already have Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante in their squad. Diaby has been targeted as a major signing for the Saudi club, a year after he joined Villa instead of a move to Al-Nassr.
Diaby made a total of 54 appearances for Villa across all competitions in his first season with the club. The winger scored 10 goals and registered nine assists in his maiden campaign.
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The news comes as Jaden Philogene is set to return to Villa Park less than 12 months after leaving for Hull City. Villa agreed various clauses with Hull in that £5m deal, including a 'matching rights' option, allowing Villa a three-day window to match a fee which Hull had agreed for the player from another club, plus a 30 per cent sell-on clause.
Ipswich Town had an £18m bid for Philogene accepted last week and Villa chose to match the bid, leaving the decision up to him. Instead of joining newly-promoted Ipswich, he opted to return to Villa, who are essentially paying around £13m for him after the 30 per cent sell-on clause comes into play.
Villa have sold three players so far this summer, including Douglas Luiz for £42m. The Brazilian's departure to Juventus put Villa in the clear regarding the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations.
Omari Kellyman also left for Chelsea in a deal worth £19m, while Tim Iroegbunam joined Everton for up to £13m. After making around £70m, Villa's spending will rise to roughly £130m after the additions of Philogene and Amadou Onana.
Both players are expected to join Unai Emery's squad following the five additions of Lewis Dobbin, Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley, Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior.
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