Aston Villa tipped by agents £200,000-a-week target to win available

Aston Villa could make a move for Moussa Diaby after their interest in the new signing was revealed in a recent report.

The villa is busy in the transfer market

Unai Emery's side are set to seal their seventh signing of the summer as they look to strengthen their ranks ahead of the new Premier League season. Everton midfielder Amadou Onana will undergo a trial in the Midlands at the weekend, with an official signing expected on Monday, which will set the Villans back £50m.

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed the re-signing of Jadon Philogene 12 months on from his first move, in a deal believed to be worth around £12.5m, with Philogene signing a five-year deal at Villa Park.

The pair follow the signings of Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen and ex-Chelsea man Ross Barkley, who were prized away from Luton Town following their Championship defeat.

They also acquired Juventus pair Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea as part of the deal when Douglas Luiz moved to Turin, while Lewis Dobbin arrived from Everton and Tim Iroegbunam joined Sean Dyche's side in a separate but related deal.

There will be outflows too, with Moussa Diaby the latest star to be linked with a move just 12 months after arriving at Villa Park for a record £52m (which Onana may now surpass). The striker is set for a big-money move to Al-Ittihad and was left out of the latest pre-season game.

Despite signing Philogene, Diaby's absence could be a difficult void to fill, and would require Villa to return to the transfer market this summer.

Villa could quickly block Diaby's development

And if Villa choose to do so, it could instantly confirm the Frenchman's status as Barcelona midfielder Raphinha, who they are said to be interested in. With Hansi Flick looking to add Nico Williams this summer, it seems. it is possible that at least one striker will have to leave the Camp Nou before the new season.

And Raphinha could be a prime indicator of that given his age and potential sale price that could help the Blaugrana break even financially. The Brazilian, who has three years left to run on his £200,000-a-week deal, is believed to be worth around £50m and HITC say Aston Villa are “among the clubs” interested in signing him this summer.

Indeed, the Villans, along with Arsenal, Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United have been informed of the player's possible availability and willingness to return to England.

Raphinha put up very similar numbers to Diaby in 2023/24, but did so with just two of three minutes played as Yamine Lamal began to flourish on Barcelona's right.

The midfielder has many admirers, not least former manager Xavi, who hailed him as “one of the best players in the world” following their Champions League first-leg victory over PSG last season.

“For me, Rafa is a player who is unique in his abilities. One of the best players in the world in space, he has goals, he finishes the game, he presses high, he is the first, and he always works for the team. He is always looking to improve. I am very happy with Raphinha, he deserves it,” explained the former Barca manager.