Aston Villa have confirmed the departure of Moussa Diaby, who has completed a £50 million move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad just a year after his record-breaking arrival in the Midlands. This news has left many at Villa Park, including John McGinn, deeply saddened.
Diaby, who joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen for £52 million, made an immediate impact in the Premier League. He played 54 matches across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists. His partnership with Ollie Watkins, who had a career-best season with 27 goals, was crucial to Villa's attacking strategy.
Despite his success on the field, Diaby has decided to join Al-Ittihad, signing a five-year contract. He expressed his excitement about the move, stating,
"I am thrilled to join Al-Ittihad and be part of a project that aims to build a strong team reflecting the club's rich history and values. I look forward to collaborating with my new teammates to achieve victories and bring joy to our dedicated fans."
Al-Ittihad, already boasting stars like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Fabinho, recently added Houssem Aouar from Roma. Diaby's addition strengthens their squad further as they aim for success in the Saudi Pro League.
For Aston Villa, Diaby's departure is significant both financially and emotionally. The club has managed to recoup the £50 million spent on Diaby, aligning with their recent expenditure, including the £50 million acquisition of former Everton midfielder Amadou Onana. Villa's summer spending has reached £140 million, reflecting their ambition and activity in the transfer market.
However, the financial aspect is only part of the story. Diaby's exit has left a void in the Villa dressing room. John McGinn has expressed his disappointment, highlighting the winger's popularity and positive influence within the squad. Diaby’s farewell message on Instagram prompted heartfelt responses from teammates, with John McGinn commenting, "What a guy will be missed," and Matty Cash saying, "All the best bro." Leon Bailey also chimed in with, “All the best brother.”
In his farewell message to Villa fans, Diaby reflected on his time at the club with gratitude.
"Villans, thank you for everything. It's time to say goodbye. I'd like to thank the club, the team members, the staff, and everyone working at Aston Villa. I've always given my best to help the club and the team, we've had some great moments that will stay in my memory. We've had a fantastic season, with moments of joy and happiness. Together, we've achieved our objectives. The club will be playing in the Champions League next year, and I wish them success. It's a season I will remember forever. Villans, I won't forget you."
Aston Villa have been very active this summer, with numerous players coming and going. The club has already spent and received over £100 million, and more transfers are rumoured. Jhon Duran is being linked with a departure, indicating that Villa's transfer activity may not be over yet.