Aston Villa and Newcastle get 'important' response from club chief amid £83m transfer rumours

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has played down recent rumours linking their 22-year-old winger Moussa Diaby with a move away in summer.

Diaby has hit red hot form this season after notching 12 goals and seven assists so far in the Bundesliga, which has consequentially led to clubs across Europe taking notice of the France international.

He arrived from Paris Saint Germain in a deal worth around £13.5million in 2019 and after scoring eight goals and recording as many assists across all competitions, was awarded with a new bumper contract until 2025.

A situation that would likely make a move away from the club a very expensive one for any clubs interested, such as Aston Villa and Newcastle United, who have reportedly been quoted a price tag of around £83million for the player. A transfer to Spain has also been mooted.

Regardless of a theoretical price tag, Leverkusen's sporting director has made his intentions clear after the previously mentioned rumours emerged.

Speaking to Kicker, Rolfes stated: "Moussa is an important building block. We want to grow as a team and a club.

"We we will try to keep our best players."

Villa have of course dealt with Leverkusen previously, after securing the signature of Leon Bailey in the summer in a deal worth up to £30million.

It was a deal concluded prior to the arrival of Steven Gerrard, who could look to open negotiations with the German side once again if he wishes to acquire the services of Diaby.