Bayer Leverkusen have completed a spectacular return transfer with the signing of Moussa Diaby. The France international returns to the BayArena after four years in Saudi Arabia for a fee of €30 million.
Diaby signed a five-year contract with the Werkself and will once again wear the number 19 shirt. In his first spell at Bayer Leverkusen from 2019 to 2022, the winger made 172 appearances, scoring 49 goals and providing 47 assists. He then moved to Aston Villa for €60 million before joining Al-Ittihad, with whom he won the Saudi Pro League in 2025.
The return of Moussa Diaby comes at a time when Bayer Leverkusen can use reinforcements in attacking midfield. The club is currently without several players, including Nathan Tella, Guéla Doué, Kennet Eichhorn and Montrell Culbreath, who are all on the injuries list. Diaby's experience and his already well-known qualities are intended to immediately enrich the team of coach Xabi Alonso.
Sporting director Simon Rolfes emphasised the importance of the transfer. "In Moussa Diaby, we have brought a superb striker back to the Bundesliga," said Rolfes. "With his exceptional pace and dribbling ability, he will add further quality to our attacking play and create even more opportunities." The Werkself started the 2026/27 season with a win and a loss and are in seventh place with three points.
The investment of €30 million for a 27-year-old player shows the willingness of Leverkusen's decision-makers to keep the team competitive even after the departure of some key performers. Diaby costs the club only half as much as he did Aston Villa at the time, showing the negotiating position of Simon Rolfes and his team. The five-year contract gives the club planning security and binds an offensively strong player in the long term.
Bayer Leverkusen have scored six goals and conceded three in the first two matchdays, resulting in a positive goal difference of +3. In the table, however, they are already three points behind surprise leaders FC Augsburg. The Werkself's next game is a direct duel with this league leader.
The integration of Moussa Diaby will be put to the test immediately. Next Saturday, 12 September 2026, Bayer Leverkusen visit current leaders FC Augsburg. This away game is an early challenge for the team and could set the direction for the coming weeks.
Diaby knows the Bundesliga and the expectations in Leverkusen very well. His return is intended to give the attack more depth and variability. With six goals scored in two games, the team shows offensive strength, but preventing a defeat against Augsburg is now the top priority. The current standings show how tight the Bundesliga already is.
The French winger is expected to be integrated into the squad for the Augsburg game immediately. His contract with Bayer Leverkusen runs until the summer of 2031.
