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Al-Nassr 'to try to hijack Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby move'

Al-Nassr 'to try to hijack Villa's Diaby move'
© Reuters
Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr are reportedly taking an interest in Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, who has been heavily linked with Aston Villa.

Al-Nassr are reportedly ready to enter the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a hugely-impressive four years at the Bundesliga outfit, contributing 49 goals and 48 assists from 172 appearances in all competitions.

At a time when Xabi Alonso is attempting to get Leverkusen back into the Champions League, the France international could theoretically remain as a key player.

However, Leverkusen are allegedly open to doing business for the right price, with fellow admirers Aston Villa yet to meet that mark in negotiations.

The Premier League outfit have reportedly failed with a bid in the region of £30m, Leverkusen instead ready to push to recoup £50m.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts on July 15, 2023© Reuters

With Unai Emery regarding Diaby as a key target ahead of Villa's return to European football, a fresh approach is expected to be made in due course.

Nevertheless, according to the Daily Mail, failure to quickly wrap up a deal has left Villa vulnerable to interest from Saudi Arabia.

The report suggests that Al-Nassr are looking to secure the signature of Diaby at a time when they are eager to make up for lost time in the transfer market.

Over the weekend, it became apparent that FIFA had lifted the ban that had been imposed on Al-Nassr due to their failure to make an arranged payment to Leicester City for Ahmed Musa.

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal on May 23, 2023© Reuters

Al-Nassr, who have Cristiano Ronaldo in their squad, have purchased Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic in recent weeks, yet they have been the least active of the four teams owned by the Public Investment Fund.

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech had been on course to sign for Al-Nassr before the transfer was scrapped due to an issue with the Morocco international's medical.

Diaby has now seemingly been identified as the like-for-like alternative, even though he will cost considerably more than Ziyech if a deal goes through.

As it stands, it is unclear whether other clubs will re-enter the race for Diaby, who has two years left on his contract with Leverkusen.

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Bayer Leverkusen attacker Moussa Diaby in action for France on June 6, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Al-HilalAl-Hilal30282091197286
2Al-Nassr31252493375677
3Al-AhliAl-Ahli30167759332655
4Al-TaawounAl-Taawoun311410748341452
5Al Ittihad31155115648850
6Al Ettifaq31111194132944
7Al Fateh31119115248442
8Al Fayha31119114249-742
9Al ShababAl Shabab30118114136541
10Damac31109124139239
11Al Khaleej3199133342-936
12Al WahdaAl Wahda31105164356-1335
13Al RaedAl Raed3087153847-931
14Al Riyadh3179152853-2530
15Abha3185183479-4529
16Al Okhdood3184192950-2128
17Al Tai3076172957-2827
18Al Hazem30311162968-3920


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