Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta has ignited the winter transfer market with strong statements confirming ongoing negotiations with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad to acquire the services of French winger Moussa Diaby. This move comes as the Italian club seeks to bolster its attacking options and maintain its strong challenge for the Serie A title and European trophies.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Marotta said: “I can confirm that we are currently in negotiations to sign Moussa Diaby from Al-Ittihad. But I must be clear, the deal is very complex and not easy at all due to the financial terms and the nature of the contract.” Marotta added cautiously: “Diaby is an important player for his current team, and they have spent a lot on him. We are handling this calmly, without putting any pressure on them, and we will see what happens in the coming days.”.
Background and general context of the deal
These negotiations reflect the changing dynamics of the global player transfer market. After a historic summer that saw numerous European football stars move to the Saudi Professional League thanks to massive investments, the interest of a club the size of Inter Milan in bringing back one of the top players from Saudi Arabia is a significant indicator. Moussa Diaby, who made a remarkable impact with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga thanks to his blistering pace, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability, was considered one of the brightest talents in Europe before his move.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
Domestically in Italy, Diaby's arrival, should the deal go through, would be a huge boost to Inter Milan's attack, giving coach Simone Inzaghi an additional attacking option with pace and skill, which could prove decisive in the tight title race. Regionally and internationally, Inter's success in convincing a player to return from the Saudi league to Europe could pave the way for similar deals and confirms that major European clubs remain a primary destination for the world's best players. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad is also looking to strengthen its squad, with reports indicating the club's management is keen to make changes to bolster the team and compete strongly in domestic and continental competitions.
