Aston Villa transfer target Moussa Diaby is the subject of interest from Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Bayer Leverkusen forward Diaby, a French international scored 14 goals in 48 appearances for the Bundesliga club last season, as they finished sixth, and played five times for Les Bleus.
Diaby is also wanted by Serie A champions Napoli. Villa, though, reportedly made the first move this week and made an offer in the region of £38.5m – but Leverkusen quickly turned that bid away. Having already sealed the signings of Youri Tielemans on a free and Pau Torres for a club-record fee, Unai Emery is looking to remain active in the market and strengthen the attacking department of his squad.
The pursuit of Diaby could be scuppered, though, if Al-Nassr follow up their interest. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team have already signed Marcelo Brozovic and are among a host of Saudi teams who are making big moves for some of the top names in European football this summer – the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino are among a host of names who have completed big-money switches to the Gulf State.
Others might do the same. (Jordan Henderson, Firmino, and Riyad Mahrez have all been connected with moves to other teams in the Saudi top league. Diaby might join that distinguished list if Al-Nassr come knocking, but they have a debt to settle first.) Paul Pogba, Neymar, Bernardo Silva, translation to Arabic
