Aston Villa are poised to break their transfer record after agreeing a deal worth up to €60m (£51.9m) for Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby. The winger was a priority signing for Unai Emery and represents another statement of intent as Villa continue to strengthen.
Villa’s interest in Diaby predates Emery’s arrival last November but the France international was in the youth setup at Paris Saint-Germain while Emery was in charge of the Ligue 1 club. Diaby is thought to have been classed as Emery’s No 1 attacking target this summer.
The 24-year-old, who has been tracked by Europe’s elite clubs, is in line to become Villa’s third eye-catching signing of the summer, after the arrivals of Spain centre-back Pau Torres and Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans, the latter on a free transfer.
Villa have agreed to pay €50m, plus about €10m in add-ons for Diaby. Villa also retain a strong interest in the Rennes winger Jérémy Doku and are keen to add a striker and full-back cover.
Diaby was also the subject of an offer from the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, whom Cristiano Ronaldo joined last year. Diaby is understood to have previously been sceptical about joining Villa – they trailed him two years ago after the £100m sale of Jack Grealish – but is due to sign a five-year contract.
Al-Nassr have switched their attention to signing the Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mané, who has failed to settle in Germany after leaving Liverpool last year.
Villa are determined to strengthen further as they prepare to play in Europe for the first time since 2010. They allowed Marvelous Nakamba to join promoted Luton on Thursday, while Keinan Davis and Kortney Hause are also free to leave.
Mauricio Pochettino has continued his Chelsea clear-out with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completing his move to French Ligue 1 side Marseille.
Marseille confirmed the signing of the 34-year-old Gabon international on Friday, which brings an end to his miserable time in west London. Aubameyang scored one goal in 15 Premier League appearances for the Blues and was left out of the squad for the Champions League knock-out stages by then boss Graham Potter in February.
