<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/karim-benzema/">Karim Benzema</a> is witnessing a potential exodus at Al Ittihad, even as his own contract situation remains unresolved this season. With N’Golo Kanté reportedly close to an exit from Saudi Arabia, the former Ballon d’Or winner could soon see another star teammate leave during the winter transfer window to join a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/champions-league/">Champions League</a> side.



With Benzema, Fabinho, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/n&apos;golo-kante/">Kanté</a> all out of contract at the end of the season, Al Ittihad are facing a major squad overhaul, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/world-cup-winner-set-to-leave-cristiano-ronaldos-saudi-pro-league-eyes-return-to-europe/">highlighted by Kanté working toward a move away with Fenerbahce interested in his signature</a>. Now, another European club is pushing to sign a French standout from the Saudi side.



Inter Milan are actively pursuing the signing of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/moussa-diaby/">Moussa Diaby</a> from Al Ittihad. First reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport and later confirmed by Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta, the Italian club are targeting the winger during the current winter window.



Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/inter/">Inter</a>’s Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, Marotta addressed the negotiations and potential hurdles: “I can confirm that we’re in talks to sign Moussa Diaby from Al Ittihad. But as of today, it’s a remote possibility because he’s an important player for his club, and it would be a very expensive operation.“



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/01/28151747/moussa-diaby-al-ittihad-1920x1080.webp" alt="Moussa Diaby of Al Ittihad." class="wp-image-618222"></figure><figcaption>Moussa Diaby of Al Ittihad.</figcaption></figure>



According to the Italian outlet, Inter have already reached an agreement with Diaby on personal terms, leaving <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-ittihad/">Al Ittihad</a> to decide on the proposed offer of a loan through the end of the season with a €35 million purchase option. If the move goes through, Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique could depart the Nerazzurri amid interest from Bournemouth and Besiktas.


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Since joining from Aston Villa in 2024 for €65 million, Diaby has made 52 appearances for Al Ittihad, scoring eight goals and providing 27 assists. After winning both the Saudi Pro League and Saudi Cup last season, he has posted three goals and 11 assists in 24 matches this campaign, and despite being a regular under head coach Sérgio Conceição, a return to Europe now appears possible.



<h2>Benzema also facing uncertainty at Al Ittihad</h2>



Currently sixth in the Saudi Pro League with 30 points from 17 matches, Al Ittihad have struggled to replicate last season’s success, with several stars increasingly focused on their futures. Benzema is no exception, as his time in Saudi Arabia appears to be nearing its end.



According to Ben Jacobs, Benzema asked to be left out of Thursday’s match against Al Fateh, a decision made unilaterally and not by Conceição. The move stems from unproductive contract extension talks with Al Ittihad, with the striker’s deal set to expire at the end of the season and reports linking him to a potential return to Europe.

Not only N’golo Kante: Karim Benzema could see star teammate depart Al Ittihad to join Champions League team

Not only N'golo Kante: Karim Benzema could see star teammate depart Al Ittihad to join Champions League team - World Soccer Talk

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Aston Villa is set to continue its impressive summer by bringing in Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen. While the deal has not yet been announced by the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> club, reports claim that the move has been agreed by the two teams. Diaby will most likely become the English club’s record signing.



Soccer transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1682155194866450434" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claiming</a> that the Premier League side will pay $55 million for Diaby. This fee could even rise closer to $66 million with add-ons included. Either of these amounts of money would smash Villa’s current record signing of Emiliano Buendia. The Argentine playmaker signed for the West Midlands clubs for around $40 million in 2021.



Nevertheless, <a href="https://theathletic.com/4707121/2023/07/20/moussa-diaby-aston-villa-agree-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a> is reporting that the final fee will be closer to the $44 million mark. Either way, Diaby should soon break Villa’s record transfer. The Frenchman will sign a five-year contract with the English side upon his arrival. Diaby essentially chose Villa despite receiving a massive contract offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">💰 Moussa Diaby is set to become Aston Villa&apos;s record signing for a reported fee between £50-60m ⏳ According to Sky Germany a deal is "very, very close" [via <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyKaveh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkyKaveh</a>] <a href="https://t.co/GMlKVtuFc9">pic.twitter.com/GMlKVtuFc9</a>— Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1682348306968588288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Aston Villa making major moves with Moussa Diaby signing</h2>



Diaby’s imminent arrival is yet another huge piece of business by manager Unai Emery and new director of football operations Monchi. The club has already brought in former Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans on a free transfer. The Belgian recently saw his contract expire at the freshly relegated club. Emery and Monchi also <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/villa-bests-top-european-teams-to-sign-pau-torres-20230629-WST-440304.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">signed star defender Pau Torres</a> in a $36 million deal. The Spaniard opted for Villa rather than a move to a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Champions League</a>-caliber club.



<h5>Another attacker could be on his way to club</h5>



Villa brass may not even be done signing stars just yet. The team is heavily linked with Jeremy Doku as well. Emery and company have already seen a $25 million bid for the winger rejected by Rennes. However, the Premier League side is <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12323257/Aston-Villa-Rennes-Jeremy-Doku-submit-bid-Unai-Emerys-Moussa-Diaby.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly ready</a> to increase its offer to around $32 million.



Emery’s introduction to the team last season revitalized the club. Despite sitting 16th in the table at his arrival, the Spanish coach took the team up to seventh in the final standings. The Villans qualified for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/conference-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa Conference League</a>, their first season in a European competition for over a decade.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Team2

Aston Villa has reportedly agreed a massive transfer fee to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen to break the club's transfer record.

Aston Villa set to smash transfer record with Diaby signing

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Aston Villa set to smash transfer record with Diaby signing