Bayer Leverkusen could demand €30 million as a starting point in negotiations for Arsenal and Newcastle United target Moussa Diaby.
Jonathan Johnson, via Caught Offside, claims Bayer Leverkusen will demand at least €30 million for Moussa Diaby. Arsenal and Newcastle United will have to negotiate their way around the player with €30 million as the starting point, with the actual fee set to go much higher.
Moussa Diaby could ensue a transfer battle between Premier League sides and possibly even Paris Saint-Germain. The Bundesliga star has had an impressive season and will likely keep up with his good form until May. He could look at the possible interest from elsewhere and make a move this summer.
He could have made a move last year, but Bayer Leverkusen’s huge asking price may have scuppered any move. Moreover, Diaby might have had the World Cup on his mind, as playing regularly until November would have been key to his chances.
While he never made it into Didier Deschamps’ squad, the Bundesliga star has maintained his good form for Leverkusen. A big move awaits the Frenchman in the summer, with Arsenal and Newcastle United chasing the winger.
The Magpies have been chasing the winger since last summer. They will make an approach again in the summer but they face the task of convincing Diaby to join them. Eddie Howe is looking for a star attacker on his right flank and wants Diaby signed up.
Elsewhere, PSG are also keen on the Bundesliga star as they might revamp their attacking setup during the summer. However, according to Jonathan Johnson, the Parisians may have to deal with FFP scrutiny, preventing them from spending a potential €50 million on Diaby.
The news may come as a boost for Arsenal, who appear to be in pole position for the winger. For one, the Gunners are guaranteed to play in next season’s Champions League, which Newcastle may not qualify for. Additionally, Mikel Arteta continues to build a formidable team that could help them challenge on all fronts.
Again according to Johnson, the price point may not prove difficult for Premier League sides. He insists Bayer Leverkusen will consider €30 million as the starting point, with the final fee set to reach the €50 million mark.
Johnson said, “It wouldn’t surprise me if he had an asking price of €50m or just over that, something in the €40-50m range. There might be a scope to structure the deal so that the initial fee is a bit lower, but the overall structure of the deal is still likely to come up to around the €50m mark. I can’t see Leverkusen letting him go for anything less than a starting fee of around €30m.”
If the speculation around Diaby’s price turns out accurately, the Bundesliga star will become an absolute bargain for Premier League sides. The winger will be eager to make a huge career leap to a big club next summer.