Fabrizio Romano confirms Aston Villa €55m transfer demands as Ollie Watkins told to join Chelsea

Aston Villa are holding out more than the €55m offered for Moussa Diaby, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The transfer guru posted an update on the ongoing transfer saga on Tuesday (July 16) afternoon for a player that is considered 'important' by manager Unai Emery.

Talks will continue with Al Ittihad, but any deal is far from done. He added that more talks will be needed by the player and Al Ittihad, in terms of the finances of his contract.

According to Florian Plettenberg, a journalist for Sky Sports Germany, Diaby wants to join the Saudi Pro League side with 'immediate effect'. Earlier in the day, Jacob Tanswell, a reporter for The Athletic, claimed that Al-Ittihad are prepared to offer Villa a substantial profit on Diaby.

The 25-year-old has only been at Villa Park for a year after joining in a club-record £51.9m deal from Bayer Leverkusen. Diaby registered 10 goals and nine assists in 54 appearances in his first campaign in English football, but he could now be set for a move to the Middle East.

His fellow countryman Laurent Blanc, previously the manager of the national team, and later PSG and Lyon, has taken over, and wants to make Diaby his second signing as they close in on a deal for Houssem Aouar. Al Ittihad already have N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema on their books, as well as Italian defender Luiz Felipe and former Celtic forward Jota.

In other news, Cole Palmer has been trying to persuade Ollie Watkins to join Chelsea according to Football Insider. Both players found themselves among the substitute's bench for England during EURO 2024, but made an impact when called upon.

The pair have struck up a strong friendship over the last month in Germany, and Palmer wants to see Watkins head to Stamford Bridge. Watkins is 'firmly' on Chelsea's radar as they try and identify a number nine to lead their line this season.

The 28-year-old signed a long-term contract in October last year, and his current deal runs until 2028. He was a key part of Villa qualifying for the Champions League last season, having played a part in 32 of their Premier League goals. Chelsea finished sixth last season and can only offer Watkins UEFA Conference League football, whereas Villa are at the top table of European football this season.