Aston Villa have entered the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger and Arsenal target Moussa Diaby this summer.
According to reports from GFFN, Aston Villa have already made an offer for the 24-year-old winger as they look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. With European football back at Villa Park next season they believe they have a good chance of signing the player if Arsenal don’t enter the race soon.
The Gunners have a known interest in Moussa Diaby, however having already spent around £200million this summer, the club have to sell some players before bringing anyone else. Aston Villa believe if they move quick enough, they can beat Arsenal to the players’ signature this summer.
However recent reports have also suggested the Frenchman is desperate to play Champions League football next season, if he is to leave Leverkusen this summer. Arsenal have one of the most exciting projects in football as of right now. It heavily involves young stars fulfilling their potential and Diaby could well be attracted to this.
RMC Sport report that Bayer Leverkusen expect a fee of around £42million to let the player leave this summer. RMC also claimed that Arsenal had previously made an offer to Leverkusen for the French International in the summer transfer window of 2022. The interest from the North London side seems to have been sparked again this summer, with Mikel Arteta desperate to add a winger to his team ahead of next season.
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Bukayo Saka featured in every Premier League game for Arsenal last season and with Champions League football set to return to the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta wants to bring in a player who can provide competition for the 21-year-old as well as providing quality in depth.
The Evening Standard have also reported that Arsenal had made a move in the January transfer window. However, Bayer Leverkusen were reluctant to let go of the player mid-season. Daily Mail claim that Diaby is a key target for Arsenal, but following the renewal of Reiss Nelson’s contract Arsenal’s interest seems to have faded a little.
Diaby is currently contracted with Leverkusen untill 2025. He has tallied a total of 49 goals and 48 assists in 172 games for the German side. Diaby will offer back up to both Martinelli and Saka as he is versatile player who can do a job on both wings. This may be the reason as to why Mikel Arteta is keen on the player.
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