Leverkusen's spectacular return looms as Diaby talks revive

Three years after his €55 million move from Bayer Leverkusen to Aston Villa, Moussa Diaby is now the focus of a spectacular return plan by Leverkusen, with the club working to bring the player back. The effort reflects Leverkusen’s habit of planning for the future while investing large sums of money in talented players.

Leverkusen usually looks ahead, spending money on promising talent, but the current strategy wants to draw on the past to shape the future. The club sees value in revisiting a former player to complement its long‑term vision.

New coach Carles Martínez has identified Diaby as the ideal player for his preferred 4‑3‑3 system. The coach believes the 27‑year‑old French forward fits perfectly into his tactical plans.

Negotiations are ongoing between Diaby, Leverkusen officials and his current club Al‑Ittihad. Both the player side and the Saudi club are involved in talks that have yet to produce an agreement.

Transfer guru Florian Plettenberg Leverkusen is targeting a timely deal, but a deal has not yet been reached with either the player or Al‑Ittihad. The club is working with high intensity to resolve the situation.

According to the newspaper, Diaby has signaled a desire to return to the Bundesliga, and sporting director Simon Rolfes is in close contact with the former player. The report adds that no formal agreement exists at this stage.

Financially, a Diaby deal appears affordable for the German champion of 2023/24. The sale of Kerim Alajbegović to Juventus brought roughly €35 million, while the expected Diaby fee is reported to be under €30 million.

Previously, Aston Villa transferred €55 million to Bayer Leverkusen three years ago, and Al‑Ittihad paid €60 million to Birmingham a year later. Diaby remains under contract with the Saudi club until 2029, adding a further layer to the negotiations.