Aston Villa have reportedly increased their offer to sign Bayer Leverkusen ace Moussa Diaby, with a bid of around €50m now being touted.
As per Fabrizio Romano last week, Villa had an opening bid of €35m plus add-ons rejected by the Bundesliga side, but the expectation was that we would return with an improved offer to try and prise him away.
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We’ve not had to wait long for news to emerge of that possible second proposal, as Bild report that we have increased our offer to around €50m, and that Diaby is keen to take the next step in his career now and wants to join us.
It’s added that Al-Nassr have also put a bid on the table to try and convince the French international to move to Saudi Arabia instead this summer, but time will tell who is able to reach an agreement with Leverkusen and thus open the door for a transfer to materialise.
The 24-year-old scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions last season, and given his ability to primarily play on the right wing but also with the versatility to play across the pitch in the final third, he could be an excellent solution for Unai Emery to bolster our attack.
Diaby boasts pace, creativity and an eye for goal, and with Villa looking to compete on multiple fronts next season by giving Emery the opportunity to mould the squad into his own with players who fit his system and style better, the Frenchman could be a big signing who helps make us more potent.
A lot of the responsibility in the final third last season fell on the shoulders of the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins, and having already strengthened other areas of the squad this summer, it looks as though the frontline will be addressed next.
Time will tell if our latest touted offer is enough to convince Leverkusen to green light an exit, but with ongoing claims that Diaby wants to move on and is keen on a switch to join us, it’s hoped that a breakthrough can be made relatively soon so he can join up with the squad in pre-season, if a deal is done.
