Bayer Leverkusen close to completing Moussa Diaby and Facunda Medina deals | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen are making significant progress on deals to bring Moussa Diaby back to the Bundesliga and sign Olympique Marseille defender Facundo Medina.

Sport Bild reports that Diaby has reached an agreement with his former club over personal terms. Leverkusen must still finalise negotiations with Saudi side Al-Ittihad, but the transfer fee is expected to remain below €30m.

Meanwhile, L’Équipe claims that Leverkusen have reached agreements with both Medina and Marseille. Die Werkself will reportedly pay an initial €23m for the Argentina international, with bonuses potentially increasing the package to €25m.

Both transfer rumors are also supported by Germany’s Kicker Magazine.

Moussa Diaby return moves closer

Leverkusen’s interest in bringing Diaby back first emerged earlier this week. Benfica and Inter Milan were also reportedly monitoring the French international, but Bayer now appear to have moved decisively ahead of their competitors.

Diaby initially joined Leverkusen from Paris Saint-Germain for approximately €15m in 2019. He developed from a raw transition winger into one of the Bundesliga’s most productive attackers, ultimately registering 49 goals and 48 assists across 173 competitive appearances.

His most productive league campaign came in 2021/22, when he contributed 13 goals and 12 assists alongside Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick. Diaby’s acceleration, direct carrying and ability to work on either flank rendered him particularly effective whenever Leverkusen could attack open space.

Xabi Alonso later used the Frenchman in narrower positions behind the striker, where he could combine with Jeremie Frimpong and begin his runs closer to goal.

Leverkusen sold Diaby to Aston Villa for approximately €55m in 2023. The winger moved to Al-Ittihad one year later, but his estimated market value has since declined from a peak of €60m to €25m.

A transfer below €30m would therefore enable Leverkusen to bring back a player they sold for almost twice that figure.

Diaby could complete reconstructed attack

The proposed return also reflects the changes taking place throughout Leverkusen’s forward line.

Kerim Alajbegović recently joined Juventus in a deal containing a guaranteed €30m fee and bonuses capable of raising the package to €35m. Leverkusen sanctioned the transfer despite activating an €8m buyback clause only weeks earlier.

Afonso Moreira is expected to feature primarily from the left, meaning Diaby could operate on the right and cut inside onto his stronger foot. The Frenchman can nevertheless switch flanks, work behind a centre-forward or feature in a fluid front three.

His Bundesliga experience would also provide a measure of certainty within an attack still containing several developing or unsettled players.

Christian Kofane continues attracting Premier League interest, while Victor Boniface is attempting an unexpected Leverkusen renaissance following his disastrous Werder Bremen loan.

Diaby would arrive without the lengthy tactical and cultural adaptation normally required of a major summer signing.

Medina deal adds defensive balance

Leverkusen initially identified Medina as one of their leading options on the left side of defense. The aggressive left-footer can operate as a conventional fullback or on the left of central defence, offering a profile similar to former Bayer defender Piero Hincapié.

The 27-year-old remains under contract with Marseille through 2030. The French club only completed his permanent transfer from Lens last summer after an initial loan, investing approximately €20m.

Medina was originally viewed as a potential successor to Alejandro Grimaldo. Leverkusen ultimately selected the more attack-minded Miguel Gutiérrez, paying Napoli a guaranteed €26m with bonuses capable of raising the deal to €30m.

The pursuit of Medina nevertheless continued. His arrival alongside Gutiérrez would give new head coach Carles Martínez two distinctly different options.

Gutiérrez can provide width, creativity and attacking production from left-back or wing-back. Medina offers greater defensive aggression, physicality and the ability to shift inside as part of a back three.

Should both transfers be completed, Leverkusen will have committed close to €55m in base fees for Diaby and Medina. The double move would simultaneously restore a proven source of attacking pace and add an experienced, tactically flexible defender to Martínez’s rebuilt squad.

GGFN | Peter Weis