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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 joined Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen last summer
Moussa Diaby joined Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen last summer(Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

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.

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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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