Newcastle United are willing to fork out £50 million for Moussa Diaby, but the Bayer Leverkusen superstar is valued at around £75 million.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are considering a summer swoop for Moussa Diaby. The Bayer Leverkusen frontman has emerged as one of the top attacking targets for the Premier League outfit next summer, as they look to flex their financial muscle once again.
The report suggests Newcastle are plotting a £50 million bid for Diaby, but Bayer Leverkusen are likely to make things difficult for them. The Bundesliga giants are intent on keeping hold of the attacker at Bay Arena for at least one more season, but in the event of a potential sale, they value him at a whopping £75 million.
It is a similar figure Leverkusen received from the sale of Kai Havertz to Chelsea in 2020. The German has endured a mixed time in the Premier League so far, but Newcastle United are hoping that Moussa Diaby can yield more success.
The Frenchman, after all, has had immense success since joining Leverkusen in 2019. In just two and a half years at the club, he has racked up 33 goals and 32 assists in 113 competitive matches. His explosive performances in front of goal have been critical in helping Leverkusen emerge as one of the best clubs in Germany in recent years.
Diaby’s rapid rise to prominence also earned him four caps for the French national team. Diaby and Christopher Nkunku, who is a target for Chelsea and Manchester United, are considered to be two of the best Frenchmen currently playing in the Bundesliga.
However, Diaby’s hefty valuation could become a major obstacle for Newcastle United despite their newly acquired financial firepower. With the 22-year-old being valued at around £75 million, Eddie Howe and the management might set their sights on other alternatives, including Arnaut Danjuma, who even has experience of playing in the Premier League.
Perhaps a lot of will depend on how Moussa Diaby fares during the remainder of the campaign. The young forward was one of the top performers for the Leverkusen side that held Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw recently, and he could play a vital role as Die Werkself set their sights on a top-three finish come the end of the season.
