Moussa Diaby faces another Al-Ittihad U-turn over potential Bayer Leverkusen move

Moussa Diaby’s future at Al-Ittihad has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after the club changed its position on whether to sell the France winger, despite him opening advanced negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen.

The latest developments mirror what happened last summer, when Diaby was initially reluctant to leave Al-Ittihad despite interest from Italian side Inter. The club’s management later persuaded him to consider a transfer, prompting the winger to begin preparing for a new challenge away from Jeddah.

However, Al-Ittihad reversed its decision at the final stage and refused to allow Diaby to leave. The player returned to the squad after having already begun adjusting psychologically and technically to the prospect of moving on. According to observers, that uncertainty later had an impact on his performances.

The same pattern now appears to be unfolding again, but with the situation having progressed further. Al-Ittihad told Diaby that it wanted to sell him and asked him to enter discussions about his financial obligations. In response, the player began negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen and reached an advanced stage in talks over a move to the German club.

Once Diaby had reached an agreement with Leverkusen, Al-Ittihad changed course again. The focus shifted towards keeping the player rather than completing a sale, leaving the proposed transfer at another decisive turning point.

Diaby’s situation is therefore not simply a question of whether a deal succeeds or fails. The wider concern is the way the matter has been handled. After being instructed to look for a new club, negotiate a move and reach an agreement, the player would reasonably expect Al-Ittihad to follow through on the decision it had communicated.

Instead, he has been left facing another change that places his entire future in doubt. The club’s current decision to retain him could still be followed by approval for his departure, meaning Diaby does not know whether he should prepare to remain in Jeddah or get ready to move to Germany.

Within a short period, the 26-year-old has moved from being a player the club wanted to sell, to one it wanted to keep, and potentially back into the list of players who could leave at any moment.

That situation offers little stability for Diaby and does not give the coaching staff a clear picture of the squad on which it can build for the season. The repeated uncertainty could also carry both psychological and sporting consequences, particularly because the winger has already experienced a similar episode.

Last summer, Al-Ittihad changed its position at the final moment when Diaby was close to leaving, and his contribution was subsequently affected, according to observers.

The issue, then, appears to be less about Diaby’s ability on the pitch than about Al-Ittihad reaching a firm decision over his future. If the club intends to sell him, that decision should be final and clearly communicated. If it wants him to stay, Diaby needs the stability and confidence that come with knowing he is part of the club’s plans.

Until then, his potential transfer risks remaining neither a confirmed departure nor a settled continuation, but a decision that can change from one day to the next.