Inter Milan are preparing an improved offer for Moussa Diaby as they attempt to beat Bayer Leverkusen to the signature of the French winger. The Serie A club intend to submit a new bid worth in excess of €20 million plus Albania international Kristjan Asllani, according to Sky Sport Italia.
The proposal comes after an opening offer at that valuation was rejected by Al-Ittihad. The Saudi Pro League side signed the 27-year-old France international only last year, yet Diaby is already keen on returning to European football after a single season in the Middle East.
Leverkusen competition
Bayer Leverkusen have been pursuing the former Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate and are reportedly nearing an agreement with Al-Ittihad for a fee below €30m. However, Diaby is understood to be reluctant about moving back to Germany, despite his previous success in the Bundesliga where he established himself as one of Europe’s most productive wide forwards.
Instead, the France international is said to be more attracted by the prospect of joining Inter for what would represent a fresh challenge in Italy. The player previously sampled Serie A during a brief loan spell at Crotone in 2018, though he managed only two appearances for the Calabrian side during that stint.
Replacing Dumfries
Inter view Diaby as the ideal successor to Denzel Dumfries, who departed for Real Madrid earlier this summer after the Spanish club triggered his release clause. The Dutchman’s exit left a vacancy on the right flank that the club are eager to fill before the transfer window closes.
Securing the deal remains complicated. Al-Ittihad must be convinced by the financial package, while Diaby would need to accept a significant reduction on his current €6 million annual salary to facilitate the transfer to San Siro.
What happens next
Sky Sport Italia suggest Inter could formalise their improved proposal within hours. The coming days will determine whether the Nerazzurri can persuade both club and player to choose Milan over Leverkusen, with the Bundesliga champions currently holding the advantage in negotiations with Al-Ittihad.