Moussa Diaby nears Bayer Leverkusen return as Al-Ittihad seek replacement
Moussa Diaby has reached an agreement to join Bayer Leverkusen from Al-Ittihad for under €30 million, with the Saudi club now scouting replacements.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 de / Author: Arne Müseler
French winger Moussa Diaby is on the verge of ending his tenure at Al-Ittihad. After weeks of stalled negotiations regarding outstanding dues, both clubs have resolved their differences, clearing the path for his return to Bayer Leverkusen.
Reports indicate a full verbal agreement for a permanent transfer valued at slightly under 30 million euros. The player is expected to sign a contract running until 2031, with medical examinations scheduled to take place in the coming days to finalize the move.
The tension surrounding the transfer had previously reached a point where Diaby informed management he was not mentally prepared to play, a situation confirmed by coach Jens Wissing after a recent league fixture. This period of uncertainty is now nearing its conclusion.
Al-Ittihad is already shifting focus toward life after Diaby. Sources suggest that Eintracht Frankfurt winger Ritsu Doan is among the primary targets to replace the Frenchman. Furthermore, the club is monitoring Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui, while the status of Franck Kessié remains a topic of internal discussion as the squad looks to reshape its midfield options.