Aston Villa submit first bid for Newcastle United target Moussa Diaby

Unai Emery will be hopeful to make formidable side after securing Europa League place

Aston Villa have prepared an opening offer for Moussa Diaby of France as Unai Emery intensifies his quest for a new wide winger.

Mail Sport reported on Saturday that Villa had inquired about Diaby's availability with Bayer Leverkusen, and it is anticipated that they will shortly formalise their interest with an offer.

The 24-year-old's club places a £50 million valuation on him after he finished the previous season with 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

Moussa Diaby, who has two more years left on his contract, originally caught Villa's attention in 2021 when they were searching for an alternative to Jack Grealish.

Leon Bailey, a Leverkusen player at the time, was instead signed by Villa, but they are willing to allow the Jamaican to leave this summer.

Diaby's preference at this time is to play for a team competing in the Champions League, thus it is unclear whether they are willing to include Bailey in a swap for Moussa Diaby.

Villa will compete in the Europa Conference League, Europe's third-tier league, since they are unable to provide that.

Villa thinks they can join the top teams in English football in the upcoming season thanks to manager Unai Emery and financial backing from billionaires Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Due to his wide range of abilities, Moussa Diaby has drawn interest from an assortment of clubs. He is a desirable choice for Villa, who are searching for both a winger and a forward because he can play on either flank and even play through the middle.

Harvey Barnes, who is anticipated to join Newcastle from Leicester, and Ferran Torres, a former Manchester City winger now playing for Barcelona, have both been considered by Villa.