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Moussa Diaby’s departure from Aston Villa is done ‘barring a turnaround’, with negotiations over a deal with Al-Ittihad having gotten closer to a positive outcome.

That’s according to L’Equipe, who back up reports from elsewhere in France that Diaby is on his way to Saudi Arabia.

The newspaper reports that Diaby ‘should join’ Al-Ittihad sooner rather than later as they are finalising a deal with Aston Villa worth around €55m excluding bonuses.

A deal is now seen as only a matter of days away from being completed as Diaby wants the move and the two clubs have now moved closer to an agreement.

Aston Villa received an initial bid from Al-Ittihad several days ago worth €55m, which was an improvement on an initial bid from the Saudi club.

The Villans rejected this but discussions between the two clubs have progressed on the ‘structure of the transaction’ and Al-Ittihad have now sent a higher offer.

While this has been going on, Diaby was agree to ‘agree on the outlines’ of a five-year contract with Al-Ittihad. There are still details to be resolved on that and an agreement has not been reached between the two clubs either.

However, there is a confidence that will happen sooner rather than later and barring a turnaround in the matter, Diaby will be joining the Saudi side this summer.