Aston Villa ‘submit bid’ for transfer target as rival Saudi Arabian ‘bidders’ face problem

Aston Villa are already hard at work as they prepare for a potential European campaign.

Unai Emery’s men have the chance to qualify for the Europa Conference League this season after managing a seventh-place finish last term. The club have already spent significantly this summer as they look to close the gap on the top four, and there will be big expectations surrounding Emery’s men heading into the new campaign.

Villa have already signed the likes of Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans, and they are not likely to finish their summer business there. With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Villa Park.

Diaby bid

Villa are looking for another big signing this summer, and it looks as though they will focus on landing a winger.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Bayer Leverkusen star and reported Newcastle United target Moussa Diaby is the chosen one, and Villa are said to have submitted an opening bid.

“Understand Aston Villa official bid for Moussa Diaby was €35m plus add-ons — this is the real fee,” Romano tweeted.

“Bayer Leverkusen rejected but told the negotiations are still ongoing, deal ON. Diaby wants the move, he already said yes to Villa and Leverkusen are aware of that.”

Diaby competition

A double Diaby update today. According to Birmingham Live, Villa are not the only club in the mix to sign the winger.

According to the report, Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr are also interested in signing the Leverkusen star this summer, although, Villa have an advantage despite the Saudi club’s financial position. That’s because FIFA have placed a temporary ban on Al-Nassr over reported missed transfer payments, including one to Leicester City.

FIFA have said they will remove the ban when all parties involved have confirmed that the debt has been settled. Villa might want to wrap up the Diaby deal before that point.