Aston Villa have reportedly been rebuffed in their first effort to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
The West Midlands outfit are currently preparing for a return to continental football after a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League secured a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Unai Emery and the club's hierarchy have responded by making the high-profile additions of Villarreal defender Pau Torres and Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Faith will be kept in much of the squad that delivered from November onwards, yet more fresh faces are expected to arrive at Villa Park in due course.
Despite Emery's side being free-scoring under his watch, at least one new attacker should be brought in to bolster their options in the final third.
© Reuters
Earlier this week, it was claimed that Villa were contemplating whether to make a formal bid for AC Milan's Charles De Ketelaere, yet it now appears that priority is being given to an alternative.
According to the Daily Mail, Villa have failed with a £30m bid for in-demand winger Diaby.
The France international has established himself as one of the standout players in the Bundesliga, contributing 22 goals and 21 assists across the last two campaigns in Germany's top flight.
A total of 49 strikes and 48 assists have been posted in 172 outings since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, but it appears that the 24-year-old is likely to take on a new challenge this summer.
© Reuters
Although Diaby still has two years left on his contract, Leverkusen are prepared to cash in on the versatile forward for the right price, even with Europa League football having been secured for another campaign.
While the German outfit are said to value Diaby closer to £50m, Villa are being tipped to return with a fresh offer in an effort to get a deal over the line.
Diaby is reportedly keen to sign for a Premier League club with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United having also been credited with an interest in the past.
Villa are well stocked for options in the final third, yet they may consider offers for the likes of Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore and Philippe Coutinho.
Of the three, Bailey would generate the highest transfer fee, even having only chipped in with six goals and six assists from 54 appearances since departing Leverkusen for Villa in 2021.
Darren Plant
