Kevin Hatchard has claimed that if Unai Emery’s Aston Villa manage to secure the transfer of Newcastle United target Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen, then it will be a ‘major coup’ for the club.
The Bundesliga commentator pointed out on Twitter that Moussa Diaby has been ‘consistently’ linked with teams in the Champions League, such as Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Yet, he is in a situation where he could join the thriving and ever-growing Aston Villa, who aren’t in the Champions League, but have made a return to Europe ahead of the new campaign.
As a result, the European football expert added that it ‘underlines Villa’s ambitions’ if they can sign the 24-year-old.
There were rumours last summer about Diaby’s future, but now it seems to be at its hottest point and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he leaves this summer.
It’s just a case of which teams gets their hands on his talents, with Hatchard bigging up Villa if they get his signature over the line.
“If AVFC manage to get Moussa Diaby from Leverkusen, that’s a major coup,” wrote Hatchard. “Been consistently linked with Champions League clubs, and he’s been one of the best wingers in the Bundesliga in recent seasons.
“I suspect they will have to up their offer though – it’s still a leap for a player like him to join a non-Champions League club. Underlines Villa’s ambitions, which is great.”
Diaby needed at Villa
With European football returning to Villa Park, the club’s wide areas need bulking up, with Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore the only real bonafide wingers at the club.
More depth and quality is needed. If Diaby does join, then he will walk straight into the XI.
Not only that, it will provide someone like Bailey with a kick up the backside and some much-needed competition.
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