Al-Ittihad have reached an agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Moussa Diaby, according to Fabrizio Romano, who Football Park ranks as a tier one source.

Villa are set to receive a fee in the region of £50m for the player, add-ons included.

Diaby has reportedly agreed to sign a five-year deal with the Saudi Arabian club and is just waiting to review the paperwork.

The winger will join up with fellow Frenchman Laurent Blanc who became the club’s head coach.

🚨🟡⚫️ Moussa Diaby to Al Ittihad, here we go! Deal verbally agreed with Aston Villa for €60m package, add-ons included.

Diaby has agreed on five year deal and now waiting for paperworks to review then sign.

↪️ As revealed today, talks ongoing also for City GK Éderson. pic.twitter.com/mesRlkaqQB

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2024

Why is Moussa Diaby leaving Aston Villa?

With the transfer all but confirmed, Diaby becomes the latest of many to make the move from England’s top-flight to the Saudi Pro League. In the past year, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves and Riyad Mahrez are among the names to have made the move to the Middle East.

However, Diaby comes as perhaps the most shocking thus far having only signed for the Villains a year ago. The club signed the 25-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in what was at the time seen as a smart acquisition by the Premier League club.

In his four seasons at Leverkusen, the winger became one of the most dangerous forwards in the league, contributing to 42 Bundesliga goals in his final two campaigns with the club. This resulted in interest from many clubs across Europe, however it was Villa who snapped him up for a fee of £46 million.

Moussa Diaby's league goal involvements by season:

2019/20
◉ 5 goals
◉ 5 assists

2020/21
◉ 4 goals
◉ 10 assists

2021/22
◉ 13 goals
◉ 12 assists

2022/23
◉ 9 goals
◉ 8 assists

Another top signing for Villa. 🥵 pic.twitter.com/HGDsj1YC3w

— Squawka (@Squawka) July 22, 2023

Overall, Diaby had a mixed first year in the Premier League. In the early stages of the season, the 25-year-old impressed on several occasions, recording three goal contributions in as many games. However, despite still recording six goals and eight assists over the course of the league campaign, the Frenchman hit a lull towards the end of the season. In the final eight matches, Diaby directly contributed to only two goals and on several occasions found himself starting on the bench instead of the pitch. Although it wasn’t a disastrous season by any means, many Villa fans were left wanting more from the Frenchman who they knew could be a more consistent performer.

However, it seems as though those fans’ wishes won’t be coming true any time soon with Romano giving the famous ‘here we go’ tagline to the transfer. What is arguably the most peculiar aspect of the deal is Diaby being just 25 years old. Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Fabinho, the forward still has the best years of his career ahead of him, making the transfer to a far inferior league fairly puzzling. The decision becomes even more bizarre when Villa’s qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League is factored in, especially as the winger’s track record in European competitions is so impressive.

Was a huge fan of Villa signing Moussa Diaby, as I loved watching him play at Leverkusen.

Strong start, faded and he chooses Saudi Arabia over Champions League at 25 years old.

Each to their own, but I think that’s hugely disappointing.

— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) July 21, 2024

With Diaby departing Villa, it gives some of the club’s younger players a chance to step up and shine on the biggest stage. New signings Jaden Philogene and Samuel Ilang Junior as well as 21-year-old Morgan Rogers will all be viable options for Unai Emery on the left-hand side next season.