Aston Villa prepare for sale of 46-cap international and Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa are preparing to sell defender Lucas Digne this summer, according to reports.

The 46-year-old Frenchman joined Villa from Everton in January 2022 and has scored four goals and provided 10 assists in 93 appearances for the club in all competitions – Digne also started 27 of Aston Villa’s 38 in the Premier League last season, scored once and set up. three more goals.

However, Digne’s place in Unai Emery’s squad is under threat after Villa signed Dutch defender Ian Maatsen from Chelsea this summer, while Villa still have Spaniard Alex Moreno and young English talent Lino Sousa on their books.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are now preparing to sell Digne to make room in their squad and their wage bill following a busy summer that saw them bring in the likes of Cameron Archer, Jaden Philogene, Samuel Iling-Junior and Lewis. Dobbin alongside Maatsen.

Double French in the Villa?

Of course, Digne may not be the only Frenchman heading for the Villa Park exit this summer.

Rumors of his departure closely follow reports linking winger Moussa Diaby with a move to Saudi club Al Ittihad.

According to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between the two clubs have entered the ‘final stages’, with a fee of around 55 million Euros being agreed upon.

???? The talks between Al Ittihad and Moussa Diaby are in the final stage after the progress made this week, almost there.

All parties feel the deal will be done with details still being discussed for more than €55m.

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– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2024

Aston Villa have already sold Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Tim Iroegbunam (Everton) and Morgan Sanson (Nice) this summer to ensure they balance the books ahead of their first Champions League campaign since winning the competition in 1982.