Karim Benzema has reportedly played a major role in convincing Moussa Diaby to join Ittihad Jeddah ahead of the imminent transfer announcement.
Ittihad Jeddah reached a full agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Moussa Diaby on a five-year contract for a €60m package, add-ons included.
The Saudi club is now preparing to announce the deal in the upcoming few days as Diaby will head to Alicante, where Ittihad’s pre-season camp is taking place, and will have his medical and take the photos for the announcement.
Eyebrows were raised over Diaby’s decision to leave Aston Villa, who are bound to play in the UEFA Champions League next season, to make the move to Saudi Arabia, but according to Asharq Al-Awsat, it was the club’s French duo who convinced the player of the move.
The report revealed that the presence of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante made Diaby open to playing in the Saudi Professional League, with the former Real Madrid star being the most enthusiastic player for the arrival of Diaby, as he talked to him multiple times during the negotiations.
Further, seeing Kante playing in Euro 2024 after his remarkable performances with Ittihad made Diaby know that the door to joining the French national team is not closed.
Following a disastrous title-defending campaign, Ittihad Jeddah are trying to rebuild its squad for their new manager Laurent Blanc to compete again for the Saudi Pro League after finishing fifth last season.
Ittihad Jeddah already announced the signing of AS Roma midfielder Houssem Aouar and are now on the verge of announcing the deal of Moussa Diaby.
