Bayer Leverkusen have completed the return of Moussa Diaby from Al-Ittihad, bringing the French winger back to the Bundesliga three years after his initial departure from the BayArena. Kicker reports the Saudi club finally provided the necessary approval and signatures after the deal, complicated by several weeks of negotiations, threatened to collapse at the final hurdle. Leverkusen will reportedly pay €27m for the 27-year-old.
Diaby had already been back in Leverkusen since last week while the clubs attempted to resolve the final contractual details. The delay became particularly tense after Al-Ittihad failed to secure Ritsu Doan from Eintracht Frankfurt on Monday evening. Doan’s decision to reject the Saudi club threatened to complicate Diaby’s departure further before Al-Ittihad ultimately sanctioned the move.
Leverkusen ultimately got their man.
Moussa Diaby returns to familiar surroundings
Few major summer additions should require less adaptation. Diaby originally arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 as a highly promising but relatively raw winger and developed into one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous attacking players during four seasons in Leverkusen.
He recorded 49 goals across 172 competitive appearances for the Werkself before Aston Villa paid approximately €55m to take him to the Premier League in 2023. Diaby spent only one season in England before moving to Al-Ittihad in July 2024.
His two years in Saudi Arabia included a league title, but the possibility of returning to European football became increasingly concrete this summer. Leverkusen were particularly attracted by a profile they already knew exceptionally well.
Diaby can operate from either flank, work in narrower positions behind a striker and provide a transition threat through his acceleration that remains difficult to manufacture elsewhere in the squad.
His most productive Bundesliga campaign came in 2021/22, when he registered 13 goals and 12 assists in league play.
Diaby also became a more tactically complete attacker during his first spell. Initially most dangerous when attacking open space, he later developed the ability to contribute against deeper defensive structures and eventually worked effectively as one of Xabi Alonso’s narrower attacking players.
That familiarity should allow Carles Martínez to integrate him immediately.
Leverkusen attack was already waiting for Diaby
Diaby’s return has effectively been anticipated throughout the latter stages of Leverkusen’s summer preparation. Get German Football News’ 2026/27 Bayer Leverkusen tactical preview identified the right attacking flank as one of the few unresolved places in Martínez’s strongest XI and effectively treated the available options there as placeholders until Diaby arrived.
Afonso Moreira provides a more natural option from the left, while Diaby can start on the right and attack inside onto his stronger left foot. He can also switch sides or move centrally when Martínez alters the attacking structure.
For a Leverkusen squad that underwent another substantial personnel turnover this summer, Diaby provides something especially valuable: a high-level addition who already understands the club, the Bundesliga and the expectations surrounding the BayArena.
Elversberg defeat underlines need for immediate impact
The timing of the transfer also feels significant after Leverkusen’s disastrous opening Bundesliga weekend. Martínez’s side suffered a shock 3-2 defeat away at newly-promoted SV Elversberg after falling 2-0 behind inside the opening nine minutes and conceding again almost immediately following halftime. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken subsequently delivered a brutal assessment of the performance.
