Moussa Diaby transfer: Bayer Leverkusen agree terms for Al-Ittihad winger

Moussa Diaby is set to return to Bayer Leverkusen from Al-Ittihad after the German club reached an agreement in principle to sign the France international for a fee of less than €30m, according to reports.

The 27-year-old winger is expected to sign a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen, keeping him at the club until 2031. The deal is reportedly worth €6m per year in salary, with additional bonuses also included.

Details of the proposed transfer were reported by Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, citing German publication Bild. The reports indicate that Bayer Leverkusen are close to finalising an agreement with Al-Ittihad for Diaby, who has attracted interest from several European clubs.

Inter Milan were also reported to be monitoring the player as he considers a move away from the Saudi Pro League club.

Diaby’s return to Bayer Leverkusen would come three years after he left the Bundesliga side. He initially joined the club in 2019 and remained there until 2023, when he moved to Aston Villa. The forward subsequently left the Premier League club for Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2024.

His proposed move back to Germany would therefore mark another change in his career after two seasons in Saudi Arabia. Diaby has produced strong performances for Al-Ittihad during that period, particularly in his first campaign with the club.

That season ended with Al-Ittihad securing a historic domestic double, winning both the Roshn Saudi League and the King’s Cup for the first time in the club’s history. Diaby was part of the side that achieved that success after his arrival from Aston Villa.

Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, would be bringing back a player who previously established himself as an important attacking threat during his first spell at the club. His return would provide the German side with additional pace and width, although the reported agreement would still need to be completed before the transfer can be formally confirmed.

The reports do not indicate that the deal has been officially announced by either club. However, the proposed contract length, salary and transfer fee have now emerged as Bayer Leverkusen move closer to securing Diaby’s return.