In what could be one of the biggest surprises of the winter transfer window, Inter Milan have entered advanced negotiations to acquire the services of French winger Moussa Diaby, the star of English club Aston Villa. This move comes as the Nerazzurri seek to bolster their attacking options and maintain their strong challenge for both the Serie A title and the Champions League.
According to reliable press reports, most notably from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between the two clubs have already begun and are centered around a loan deal until the end of the season, with an option to buy included. Initial information suggests that the purchase option could be worth around €35 million, reflecting Inter Milan's high regard for the player's potential.
Player background and professional career
Moussa Diaby (24 years old) is one of the most promising talents to have graduated from the Paris Saint-Germain academy. However, his real breakthrough came in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, whom he joined in 2019. During his four seasons with Leverkusen, Diaby established himself as one of the Bundesliga's best wingers, distinguished by his blistering pace, exceptional dribbling ability, and playmaking skills, scoring 49 goals and providing 48 assists in 172 appearances. This impressive form attracted the attention of Europe's top clubs, leading to his transfer in the summer of 2023 to Aston Villa in a club-record deal worth over €50 million.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
For Inter Milan, the arrival of a player with Diaby's qualities represents a significant boost. With coach Simone Inzaghi favoring a 3-5-2 formation, Diaby can play as a second striker alongside Lautaro Martinez or Marcus Thuram, utilizing his pace on counter-attacks and his ability to break down packed defenses, potentially offering the team diverse attacking options. The signing also reflects the club's ambition to build a team capable of competing at the highest European level.
From Aston Villa's perspective, agreeing to let Diaby leave, even on loan, just a few months after signing him would be surprising and might reflect the player's failure to fully adapt to the demands of the Premier League or to manager Unai Emery's plans. On the other hand, the club might see the deal as an opportunity to recoup some of their investment.
Reports indicate that Diaby has given his initial approval to a move to the former Italian champions, seeing it as an opportunity to join a major sporting project and play regularly in the Champions League. The deal now hinges on Inter Milan and Aston Villa reaching a final agreement on the financial details, making the coming days crucial for the French star's future.
