Leverkusen close to signing Moussa Diaby and Facundo Medina in double transfer push
Bayer Leverkusen close to signing Moussa Diaby and Facundo Medina, with Diaby reportedly agreeing personal terms and Medina’s fee set at an initial €23m plus bonuses.
Bayer Leverkusen have moved decisively in the summer market, with sources indicating the club has agreed personal terms to sign Moussa Diaby and reached a deal in principle to acquire Facundo Medina from Olympique Marseille. The Diaby negotiations still hinge on final agreement with Al-Ittihad, but those talks are said to be progressing with a transfer fee expected to remain under €30m. The Medina arrangement is structured as an initial €23m payment with add-ons that could lift the total to around €25m.
Diaby’s potential return would reunite Leverkusen with a player who flourished in the Bundesliga between 2019 and 2023. During that four-year spell he evolved from a raw wide prospect into a consistent attacking threat, producing nearly a goal contribution per game across his league and cup appearances. His familiarity with the club’s environment and the league is a major reason Leverkusen view him as a low-risk, high-reward addition ahead of the new season.
Diaby personal terms agreed with Leverkusen
Leverkusen have reportedly settled the personal side of the Diaby transfer, with the winger agreeing terms similar to those he held during his previous spell at the club. Those internal agreements cover salary, length and the basic framework required to proceed to club-to-club talks. With personal terms in place, the remaining step centers on finalising compensation with Diaby’s current employers in Saudi Arabia.
The French international left Leverkusen in 2023 in a lucrative move and has since played outside Germany, but the club’s interest has been consistent and persistent. Leverkusen’s recruitment team has emphasized bringing players with proven Bundesliga experience to expedite integration under incoming head coach Carles Martínez. Diaby’s acceptance of personal terms signals both parties expect a swift conclusion once clubs agree on a fee.
Negotiations with Al-Ittihad and transfer fee expectations
Talks with Al-Ittihad are the crucial remaining obstacle to completing Diaby’s return to Germany. Insiders suggest Leverkusen are targeting a fee below the €30m mark, a figure that would represent a significant discount compared with the sum for which he previously left the club. That price point would make the deal financially attractive for Leverkusen, who have balanced ambitious sporting plans with careful fiscal management.
Al-Ittihad paid a substantial amount to recruit Diaby, and any sale will require navigating the Saudi side’s valuation and potential sell-on or solidarity arrangements. Leverkusen are reportedly prepared to use a combination of guaranteed cash and structured payments to bridge the gap. If those elements are agreed, the transfer could be rubber-stamped in the coming days, allowing Diaby to return ahead of the new campaign.
Medina agreement structured as €23m initial fee with bonuses
Alongside the Diaby developments, Leverkusen have reportedly reached an agreement with Olympique Marseille to sign Argentina defender Facundo Medina. The structured deal would see Leverkusen pay an initial €23m with conditional add-ons pushing the package closer to €25m. Medina, 27, remains under contract with Marseille until 2030, and the transfer reflects a negotiated settlement that satisfies both clubs’ sporting and financial priorities.
Medina’s acquisition is viewed as pragmatic business by Leverkusen, providing immediate reinforcement on the left side of defence while maintaining tactical flexibility. Marseille originally paid to make Medina’s move from Lens permanent last summer, and Leverkusen’s fee effectively reflects his established status in Ligue 1. The deal offers Martinez the option of deploying a defensively robust left-sided player who can also shift into a left-sided centre-back role when required.
How Diaby would slot into Martínez’s reconstructed attack
Diaby’s return would intersect with a notable reshaping of Leverkusen’s forward line following several outgoing and incoming moves. The club sanctioned the sale of Kerim Alajbegović to Juventus and have invested in youngsters and veteran options across the front three. With Afonso Moreira expected to feature primarily from the left, Diaby could occupy the right flank where his pace and tendency to cut inside would add directness and goal threat.
Tactically, Diaby’s experience under Xabi Alonso and his subsequent adaptations mean he can operate both as a wide attacker and in narrower, higher positions behind a centre-forward. His capacity to make attacking runs into the box and combine with overlapping fullbacks offers Martinez an immediate, Bundesliga-proven solution. That experience also reduces the acclimatisation period that new arrivals usually require, giving Leverkusen a more predictable attacking profile early in the season.
Medina’s profile and tactical fit for Martínez’s backline
Facundo Medina brings a contrasting but complementary skill set to Leverkusen’s defensive options. A strong left-footer, he can function as a traditional fullback or as one of the central pair in a three-man defence, offering physicality and a willingness to defend aggressively. That versatility mirrors the club’s desire to have distinct tactical tools available for different match situations and opponents.
Medina’s arrival alongside Miguel Gutiérrez, who is a more attack-oriented left-back, would give Martinez two distinct left-side templates. Gutiérrez provides width and forward thrust, while Medina would allow the team to adopt a more compact, defensively focused shape when required. That combination offers tactical balance and the ability to shift formations without substituting personnel.
Financial implications and wider squad context
If both transfers are completed, Leverkusen would commit roughly €55m in base fees for Diaby and Medina, not counting potential add-ons. The double investment signals a clear willingness from the club to reinforce both the attacking and defensive units in a targeted manner. Management has balanced sales proceeds, such as the Alajbegović move to Juventus, against incoming expenditure to sustain squad competitiveness.
Beyond pure numbers, the signings reflect Leverkusen’s broader recruitment strategy: blend proven Bundesliga experience with younger talents who can develop under a clear tactical identity. The club has also monitored other players in the squad who may attract offers, and further moves could follow as Martínez finalises his preferred starting XI. The combination of strategic sales and pinpointed purchases suggests Leverkusen see this window as an opportunity to build depth without disrupting the club’s fiscal framework.
Leverkusen’s supporters can expect clarity on both deals soon if remaining formalities are completed, but the club will still need to integrate the new recruits into preseason work and finalise tactical plans. The parallel pursuit of pace in attack and sturdiness in defence underscores a pragmatic approach to squad building ahead of European and domestic demands.
Both transfers, if confirmed, would restore a familiar attacking outlet and add defensive adaptability to Martínez’s squad, giving Leverkusen a stronger foundation as they prepare for the season.
