Aston Villa make improved £42m bid for Moussa Diaby in bid to beat Al-Nassr to signature of 24-year-old winger – but Bayer Leverkusen are holding out for £52m

Aston Villa have made an improved bid worth up to £42m for Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby.

The 24-year-old winger is keen to have his future resolved with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr also chasing the French attacker.

Reports in Germany indicate that both Villa and Al-Nassr have made bids for Diaby, but they have failed to meet Bayer’s valuation of the 24-year-old, which is thought to be about £52m.

Leverkusen depart for a pre-season training camp in Austria at the weekend and all parties would prefer the matter to be resolved by then.

Villa originally looked at Diaby two years ago, when they were attempting to restructure their attack following Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester City, but he was deemed too expensive at the time. 

The 24-year-old is keen to play in the Champions League, and Villa boss Emery believes he can take him there in the coming seasons

Villa boss Unai Emery knows the player from his time at Paris St Germain. Emery managed the Ligue 1 champions from 2016-2018, when Diaby was progressing through the ranks.

He joined Bayer from PSG in 2019 and produced 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season. 

Diaby is under contract for two more years and Leverkusen would like to keep him, though Diaby is thought to be attracted by the idea of joining Villa.

His goal has always been to play Champions League football but with Emery backed by billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, Villa believe they can get there in the coming seasons.