Moussa Diaby set to return to Bayer Leverkusen in €30m Al-Ittihad move

Moussa Diaby is waiting to travel to Germany to complete his transfer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad to Bayer Leverkusen, with the deal reportedly agreed for €30m.

The France international still has a contract with Al-Ittihad until the summer of 2028, but is expected to leave the club after just one season. The transfer has been settled between the Saudi club and Leverkusen, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah.

Diaby’s departure would bring an end to his spell at Al-Ittihad, who are expected to sign a new foreign winger before the close of the summer transfer window. The transfer window in the Saudi league remains open until 6 September.

The 25-year-old joined Al-Ittihad from English side Aston Villa in the summer of 2024. During his time with the club, he helped them win both the Saudi league title and the Saudi Cup in the season before last.

Across all competitions for Al-Ittihad, Diaby scored 11 goals and provided 29 assists. His performances formed part of a successful period for the club, although he is now set to continue his career back in Germany with the side where he first established himself as a leading European winger.

Diaby began his senior career at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2019. He developed into an important attacking player during his time at the German club and later secured a move to the Premier League.

Aston Villa signed Diaby from Leverkusen in the summer of 2023 for €15m. One year later, he moved to Al-Ittihad for €60m.

His proposed return to Bayer Leverkusen would therefore mark the latest stage of a career that has taken him from Paris Saint-Germain to Germany, England and Saudi Arabia. The final steps of the new transfer are expected to be completed once he travels to Germany.

Al-Ittihad have until the Saudi transfer deadline to find a replacement for Diaby, with the club planning to bring in another overseas winger before the window shuts.