Official | Bayer Leverkusen sign Facundo Medina, Moussa Diaby deal stalls amid interest from Inter | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen have officially completed the signing of Argentina international Facundo Medina from Olympique Marseille, while their efforts to bring Moussa Diaby back to the Bundesliga now face renewed competition from Inter Milan. The 27-year-old Medina has signed a long-term contract through June 2031.

According to Kicker, Leverkusen will pay Marseille approximately €20m for the left-footed defender, with additional bonus payments potentially increasing the final package. Medina becomes another significant component of Leverkusen’s summer rebuild following Alejandro Grimaldo’s departure for Atlético Madrid.

Medina gives Leverkusen another World Cup finalist

Medina can operate either centrally or on the left side of defense, providing new head coach Carles Martinez with a distinctly different profile to summer arrival Miguel Gutiérrez. The Spaniard represents a more attack-minded option capable of supplying width from left-back or wing-back. Medina offers greater physicality, defensive aggression and the ability to move inside as part of a back three.

Medina spent five years in French football, initially with RC Lens before joining Marseille in 2025. The Argentina international also featured three times at the recent World Cup and came off the bench during the 1-0 extra-time final defeat to Spain.

He therefore joins compatriot Exequiel Palacios as another Leverkusen player with World Cup final experience. Palacios also played a role in convincing Medina to make the move. Medina revealed that the pair discussed Leverkusen during the World Cup and that his Argentina teammate spoke extremely positively about the club.

“With Facundo Medina, we have signed a very experienced professional who will immediately become an important part of our team through his quality and strong mentality,” Rolfes said. “He is strong in the tackle: assertive and aggressive. Facundo’s qualities add an important element to the profile of our squad.”

Inter challenge Leverkusen for Moussa Diaby

While the Medina deal is complete, Leverkusen’s pursuit of Diaby now appears significantly less straightforward. Get German Football News reported last week that Leverkusen were making major progress on deals for both Medina and Diaby.

Sport Bild reported at the time that Diaby had reached an agreement with his former club over personal terms, leaving Leverkusen to negotiate a transfer fee with Al-Ittihad. A fee below €30m was considered possible. Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio now offers a different account.

Di Marzio reports that reigning Italian champions Inter are attempting to intervene and are preparing another offer to Al-Ittihad. More importantly, the Italian journalist claims that, contrary to other reports, Diaby has not yet accepted Leverkusen’s proposal. That distinction leaves the race considerably more open than previously thought.

Diaby return would complete major Leverkusen attacking rebuild

Diaby remains an attractive option for Leverkusen because of both his quality and familiarity with the club. The French international spent four seasons at the BayArena after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, registering 49 goals and 48 assists in 173 competitive appearances before moving to Aston Villa for approximately €55m in 2023.

Al-Ittihad signed him one year later. A return would provide Leverkusen with proven Bundesliga pace and directness at a time when the club continue reshaping their attack. Afonso Moreira can operate from the left, while Diaby would offer an obvious option from the right and could also play more centrally behind a striker.

GGFN | Peter Weis