Bayer Leverkusen is working on bringing Moussa Diaby, a 27-year-old French international, back from Al-Ittihad. The player is reportedly unhappy in Saudi Arabia and wants to return. Sporting director Simon Rolfes has maintained contact with Diaby since he left for Aston Villa in 2023 for €55 million. He moved to his current club one year later. Negotiations with the winger are at an advanced stage.
Diaby has 11 caps for his country. He is being targeted as a top reinforcement for the right wing in the team's planned 4-3-3 system. He is available for a transfer fee of less than €30 million. The move would involve a significant salary reduction for Diaby. His current net pay at Al-Ittihad is reportedly over ten million euros. At Leverkusen, he would earn around six million euros gross annually, which is an amount less than that of top earner Patrick Schick.
The potential transfer is supported by funds from recent player sales. The club is also reportedly close to selling right winger Ernest Poku to Sunderland. Diaby's contract at Al-Ittihad runs until 2029, and his current market value is €25.00m, according to Transfermarkt. Inter has also recently been linked with the player.
