Moussa Diaby set to return to Bayer Leverkusen from Al-Ittihad

Moussa Diaby is close to completing a return to Bayer Leverkusen from Al-Ittihad, with the German club reportedly set to pay less than 30m euros for the France winger.

Reports in Saudi Arabia and Germany say an agreement is near between the two clubs, bringing an end to Diaby’s time with Al-Ittihad after two seasons. The 27-year-old is expected to sign a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen, keeping him at the club until 2031.

According to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, citing German publication Bild, Bayer Leverkusen have moved close to an agreement with Al-Ittihad over the transfer. The proposed fee is understood to be below 30m euros.

Diaby is set to earn an annual salary of 6m euros under the terms of his new contract, with additional bonuses also included in the agreement.

The move would see Diaby return to the club where he established himself in European football. He previously played for Bayer Leverkusen from 2019 to 2023, before leaving for Aston Villa.

After one season with Aston Villa, Diaby joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2024. His departure from the Saudi Pro League club had been anticipated, with a number of European sides reported to be interested in signing him.

Inter Milan had also been linked with a move for the winger, alongside Bayer Leverkusen, but it is the German club that has reportedly made the most progress in negotiations.

Diaby has produced strong performances during his two seasons with Al-Ittihad. His first campaign was particularly successful, as he played a part in the club winning both the Roshn Saudi League and the King’s Cup.

Those two trophies represented a historic achievement for Al-Ittihad, who won the domestic double for the first time in the club’s history.

The proposed return to Bayer Leverkusen would therefore mark the next stage of Diaby’s career after his spell in Saudi Arabia. It would also reunite him with the club he left three years ago, following his move to Aston Villa in 2023.

Although the transfer is yet to be formally completed, reports indicate that the main terms have been agreed or are close to agreement. Diaby is expected to complete the move during the upcoming period, subject to the final steps of the deal between Bayer Leverkusen and Al-Ittihad.