Inter Milan Pursues Moussa Diaby In High-Stakes Loan Move

Inter Milan are making headlines across Europe as they intensify efforts to bring French international Moussa Diaby back to Serie A, targeting the dynamic winger for a late-January swoop. The Nerazzurri, sitting atop the Italian league, are looking to reinforce their squad for the critical second half of the campaign, especially following injuries and ongoing transfer rumors swirling around their current roster.

On January 28, 2026, reports from leading transfer insiders and Italian media confirmed that Inter Milan had opened formal talks with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad to secure the services of Diaby. The proposed deal is structured as a loan until the end of the season, with a buy option set at approximately €35 million—a considerable reduction from the €60 million Al-Ittihad spent to bring the Frenchman from Aston Villa in the summer of 2024.

Diaby, 26, has not only given his full verbal agreement to the move but has also expressed a strong desire to return to European football after spending 18 months in the Middle East. According to Fabrizio Romano, "Diaby has already given his verbal agreement to join the Serie A leaders, making the transfer dependent solely on Al Ittihad's approval." That final green light from the Saudi club remains the last hurdle, but optimism is growing on the Italian side that a deal could be finalized in the coming days.

The talented winger’s statistics this season underscore his value. For Al-Ittihad, Diaby has featured in 16 Saudi Pro League matches, netting two goals and providing five assists. Across all competitions, his impact is even more pronounced: 31 appearances, three goals, and an impressive eleven assists. Some sources note a slightly lower appearance tally—24 matches—but all agree on his three-goal, eleven-assist haul, highlighting his consistency and creative spark.

Diaby’s journey to this point has been anything but ordinary. After beginning his professional career with Paris Saint-Germain, he enjoyed a brief Serie A spell on loan at Crotone during the 2017-18 season, making two appearances. Stints at Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa followed, before Al-Ittihad lured him to Saudi Arabia with a lucrative long-term contract, set to run until 2029. Yet the pull of top-flight European football, and especially the chance to compete for silverware with Inter, appears too strong to resist.

Inter’s interest in Diaby is not born of desperation, but of strategic necessity. The club’s 3-5-2 formation under manager Cristian Chivu has been rocked by the recent injury to right wing-back Denzel Dumfries. With summer signing Luis Henrique attracting interest from other clubs—Bournemouth among them, as official talks have been reported—Inter’s need for a versatile, pacey wide player has become urgent. Diaby, traditionally a winger, could be deployed in a slightly unfamiliar role as a right wing-back, leveraging his speed and attacking instincts to fill the void left by Dumfries.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport Italia, Inter’s approach is part of a broader strategy to maintain their lead in Serie A after missing out on Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman last summer. The club is also reportedly in negotiations with PSV Eindhoven to bring back Ivan Perisic, further illustrating their intent to bolster the squad ahead of a crucial run-in.

Al-Ittihad’s reluctance to part with Diaby is understandable. The club invested heavily in the Frenchman, and his performances—particularly his eleven assists this season—have made him a key figure in their campaign. However, the player’s desire to return to Europe, coupled with Inter’s persistence and the structure of the proposed deal, may yet tip the scales. As one report put it, "The completion of the deal depends entirely on Al-Ittihad’s position. If the Saudi club gives its final approval, the transfer could be finalized in the coming days."

For Diaby, the move represents a chance to reignite his European ambitions and showcase his talents on one of the continent’s most storied stages. With eleven caps for the French national team and a reputation for blistering pace and incisive passing, he would bring a new dimension to Inter’s attack—whether as a traditional winger, a forward, or an adventurous wing-back in Chivu’s system.

Supporters of the Nerazzurri are understandably excited by the prospect. Inter’s transfer strategy this window has been marked by ambition and adaptability, responding to injuries and market opportunities alike. The failed pursuit of Lookman in the summer has only sharpened the club’s resolve to secure quality reinforcements, and Diaby’s potential arrival fits the bill perfectly.

Meanwhile, the transfer market continues to swirl with activity. Bournemouth’s talks with Inter over Luiz Henrique add another layer of intrigue, as does the club’s ongoing interest in Ivan Perisic. For now, though, all eyes are on the Diaby deal, with fans and pundits alike refreshing their feeds for the latest updates from Milan and Jeddah.

Should the deal go through, Diaby would join an elite group of players to have worn the famous black and blue of Inter, bringing with him the experience of top-flight football in France, Germany, England, and Saudi Arabia. His brief Serie A cameo with Crotone eight years ago may have gone largely unnoticed, but his return—if completed—would be anything but quiet.

As the clock ticks down on the winter transfer window, Inter’s pursuit of Diaby encapsulates the drama, ambition, and unpredictability that define football’s busiest month. The deal is not yet over the line, but with the player’s approval secured and negotiations ongoing, the Nerazzurri faithful have every reason to believe that a new star could soon be lighting up San Siro.

For now, the ball is in Al-Ittihad’s court. If the Saudi club grants its blessing, Moussa Diaby could be unveiled as Inter Milan’s latest signing within days—just in time to make an impact in the race for the Serie A title.