Villa winger Diaby close to 拢50.4m Saudi switch

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Diaby was Villa's record signing when he joined the club last summer
  • Author, Nizaar Kinsella
  • Role, 大象传媒 Sport football news reporter

Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby is poised to complete a move to Al-Ittihad for about 拢50.4m.

The 25-year-old has travelled to Saudi Arabia to have a medical and finalise the deal after just a season at Villa Park.

Diaby joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen for a club record, reportedly 拢51.9m, last summer but manager Unai Emery has decided to cash in on the France international.

It comes after the club re-signed Jaden Philogene from Hull, paying around 拢13.5m for the English wideman this month and they feel the academy graduate can make a big impact on his return.

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Diaby made 54 Villa appearances, scoring 10 goals, and helped them finish fourth in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League.

Villa are reshaping their squad ahead of the new season and sold midfielder Douglas Luiz to Juventus for 拢42.4m last month.

They signed both Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from the Italian club, while left-back Ian Maatsen arrived from Chelsea for 拢35m and winger Lewis Dobbin from Everton for around 拢9m.

On Tuesday, Villa also completed the 拢50m signing of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.