Aston Villa forward Moussa Diaby closing in on Saudi Arabia move just a year after record-breaking switch

Aston Villa forward Moussa Diaby is expected to complete a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad next week, talkSPORT understands.

Diaby is set for his medical after agreeing a five-year deal with Al Ittihad in a deal that will see Villa bank £60million.

Diaby only moved to Villa Park last summer in a record deal from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial fee of £43m.

But the France international is keen on making the switch to Saudi Arabia, where he would play alongside compatriots Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante.

talkSPORT understands the Midlands outfit initially not looking to part ways ways with the explosive winger.

Diaby played 54 games for Villa in his debut season at the club - featuring in 38 Premier League matches.

He scored ten times in all competitions with six coming in the English top-flight, where he was a crucial part of Unai Emery's attack.

The 25-year-old helped Villa finish fourth in the table to help them secure a return to the Champions League for the first time since 1983.

But Diaby may not be part of their European Cup campaign, where he could swap Europe for the Middle East to play next to Benzema up top.

The Real Madrid legend had a difficult first year at the King Abdullah Sports City after becoming one of the biggest signings of the summer to the Saudi Pro League last year.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner clashed with coach Marcelo Gallardo and was dropped from the squad for several matches before missing the end of the campaign with a muscle injury.

After finishing fifth, Gallardo was sacked and replaced with Laurent Blanc to appease Benzema.

As well as the 36-year-old, Al Ittihad made several high-profile transfers including Kante, Fabinho and Jota.

But a fee of £60m would see the club break their transfer record to sign Diaby.

Al Ittihad are also interested in Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga, but an initial move was knocked back by the Blues.