Aston Villa will demand at least £60m to sell winger Moussa Diaby this summer, 90min understands, amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Villa fought off competition from Saudi outfit Al Nassr last summer to sign Diaby in a deal worth over £50m, having initially established their interest in the Frenchman as a potential replacement for Jack Grealish following his move to Manchester City in 2021.
The Saudi interest has not disappeared, however. Sources have confirmed to 90min that it is Al Ittihad chasing Diaby’s signature this summer and a bid of £45m has already been rejected by Villa, who do not want to sell the winger unless their high valuation is met.
Al Ittihad are still in advanced talks and confidence has grown in the past 48 hours that a deal could be reached. The Saudi club believe Diaby is keen on the move, despite Villa having Champions League football.
Al Ittihad have already been working to agree personal terms with Diaby, who has been offered a salary of almost €15m (£12.6m).
Diaby managed six goals and eight assists in 38 Premier League appearances last season but found himself under fire late in the campaign for a slump in form.
“For different players, the adaptation of the Premier League and our idea, style, demands – it is easier or sometimes more difficult,” manager Unai Emery explained. “Moussa Diaby, he is getting better and he is with the possibility to play in different positions.
“He can play more wide, as a number 10 inside, as a second striker and I am very happy with his progression. Often, I am speaking about him about the possibility to play in different positions and to get his best performances, his adaptation higher too.
“He needs to be calm in different moments when he wasn’t. Now, it is the same – of course, I am very happy with him. I am being very demanding with him and he is completely involved in our structure.”