Newcastle United are reportedly willing to break the bank to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen, who could cost them in excess of £40 million.
An exclusive report from 90 min has offered a teasing update on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s exciting winger Moussa Diaby in the summer transfer window. In what could be considered a complete U-turn of events, the Magpies are now ready to break their club transfer record in order to secure the French international’s services.
Newcastle United got their summer rebuilding up and running, with long-term target Sven Botman joining Matt Targett and Nick Pope as players arriving through the St. James’ Park doors as the cash-rich club continues to make waves in the summer window.
With a goalkeeper and two defenders now secured, Eddie Howe can turn his attention to acquiring players at the other end of the field, with the former Bournemouth coach looking to ease the goal-scoring burden placed on the shoulders of striker Callum Wilson, who has been plagued by niggling injuries in the last couple of seasons.
And while they have monitored a host of wide options, the Toon officials have identified Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby as their top target after doing extensive scouting work on the player.
And it is understandable why Newcastle would want to go all-out for Diaby. A product of PSG’s famed academy, the 22-year-old has got it all; he has the end product to match his lightning afterburners, flair and finesse, having been directly involved in 72 goals from 124 outings for Leverkusen to date.
He can operate down the right, on the left or drift through the middle. He can use both feet and is fearless when dribbling at opponents. He scored 17 goals and assisted a further 14 times in 42 appearances last term. He really has the makings of a future superstar.
With three years remaining on his contract, the ball is very much in the German club’s court, who are under no immediate pressure to sell the attacker after qualifying for the Champions League, which is the platform on which the France international intends to play.
Furthermore, with the World Cup on the horizon and Diaby being in Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps’ good books, he is almost certain to be included in France’s 26-man squad, and should he impress on the biggest stage, that would only boost the player’s stock even higher.
Newcastle, for one, were initially put off by Leverkusen’s asking price of over £40 million for their prized asset. However, the Magpies’ pursuit has been encouraged after Die Werkself sporting director Simon Rolfes’ admitted that the club might have to sell the 22-year-old if a tempting offer arrives on the table.
90min now suggests that Newcastle are prepared to go all guns blazing and launch a club-record bid to satisfy the demands of the Bundesliga club as they look to continue their investment in the market for young, promising players who can make an instant impact.
Of course, a player of Diaby’s calibre and incredibly high ceiling would not come cheap by any means, but he could just be the marquee addition to take Eddie Howe’s team to the next level. Whether Newcastle can lure Leverkusen into selling the tricky French winger remains to be seen.
