Key Takeaways:
- Bayer Leverkusen have initiated talks with Al-Ittihad over the potential return of Moussa Diaby
- Diaby’s market value dropped from €60m in December 2023 to an estimated €25m, following his transfers from Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad
- Benfica and Inter are also pursuing the 27-year-old French international, creating competition for Leverkusen
Transfer Negotiations and Market Competition
Bayer Leverkusen are exploring the possibility of bringing French winger Moussa Diaby back to the Bundesliga. The 27-year-old last played for Leverkusen during the 2022/23 campaign, accumulating 125 Bundesliga appearances and registering 31 goals over his four seasons with the club. Diaby departed for Aston Villa in the summer of 2023 for a fee of €55m, before moving on to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad one year later.
🚨🔙 BREAKING | Bayer 04 Leverkusen are working on a return for Moussa Diaby.
Advanced talks are underway. However, no agreement has been reached yet – neither with Diaby nor with Al-Ittihad.
Carles Martínez wants Diaby for his 4-3-3 system. The expected transfer fee is below… pic.twitter.com/Rp6RAm4eB3
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 4, 2026
Diaby, who has made 11 appearances for the French national team, currently holds an estimated market value of €25m, a significant decrease from his peak of €60m in December 2023. While Leverkusen have entered concrete talks with Al-Ittihad concerning a transfer, additional interest has emerged from Benfica and Inter, both seeking to bring Diaby back to European football. At Leverkusen, Diaby is considered a strategic fit alongside new summer signing Afonso Moreira, who is expected to operate on the left wing.
Diaby’s First Leverkusen Spell: Tactical Fit and Player Profile
Diaby initially joined Bayer Leverkusen from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2019, arriving as a highly promising but unrefined attacking prospect. His trademark acceleration quickly established him as one of the Bundesliga’s most elusive threats in open play. Capable on either wing, Diaby predominantly played as a left-footed winger, frequently attacking from the left flank or cutting inside from the right.
Under Peter Bosz, Diaby formed a potent attacking partnership with Leon Bailey, as Leverkusen’s midfield looked to dominate possession and unleash pace on the flanks. Diaby’s penchant for beating defenders, exploiting space, and delivering cutbacks consistently unsettled opposition defensive lines. Despite early issues with end product and decision-making against deep-lying opponents, Diaby matured into a more complete winger, adept at operating against a variety of defensive schemes.
Diaby delivered his most productive Bundesliga season in 2021/22, contributing 13 league goals and 12 assists across 32 matches. His dynamic interplay with Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick was fundamental to Leverkusen forming one of the most threatening attacking trios in the German top flight.
Tactical Evolution under Xabi Alonso
Diaby’s final Bundesliga season presented early challenges, as Leverkusen struggled under the guidance of Gerardo Seoane. However, his tactical responsibilities shifted when Xabi Alonso took charge in October 2022. Alonso often deployed Diaby as one of two narrow attackers behind a central striker, positioning him nearer to goal and affording greater opportunities to combine with right-sided teammate Jeremie Frimpong. Diaby proved effective in both counterattacking transitions and more patient, possession-focused phases, ultimately concluding his tenure with 49 goals and 48 assists from 173 competitive fixtures at the club.
Financial factors remain a potential obstacle, with Diaby’s declining market value offset by his salary expectations and Al-Ittihad’s transfer demands. The presence of other suitors, notably Benfica and Inter, gives the Saudi club additional leverage. For Leverkusen, however, Diaby’s proven Bundesliga pedigree and positional attributes fill a clear need within their squad profile.
