Newcastle United are interested in acquiring Moussa Diaby this summer, but any progress could be stymied by Bayer Leverkusen, according to Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk.
Diaby is being pursued by a number of Premier League clubs, but Falk feels Newcastle is in the running to get him.
Moussa Diaby has joined Newcastle United on loan.
With a place in the Champions League group stage guaranteed, Eddie Howe and Co. at St. James’ Park are now focused on constructing a team capable of competing in Europe’s best league.
Newcastle has not played in the Champions League in two decades, and fears that they would be blown out are growing.
They set out to change that impression with the £55 million signing of Sandro Tonali, a tough Italian midfielder who formerly played for AC Milan.
Tonali was a member of the Rossoneri squad that reached the Champions League semi-finals last season, and Howe is hopeful the former Brescia man can add some much-needed experience to the Newcastle squad.
And, if reports are to be believed, the North-East team are interested in another of Europe’s most promising players, with Diaby on their radar.
According to The Daily Mail, Diaby – who has been described as possessing ‘enormous speed’ – is receiving interest from Newcastle, with a £50 million move now being discussed.
If Newcastle can close the deal, it will be a significant coup for the club, but according to German journalist Falk, Diaby’s future transfer may depend on where his current employers choose to send him.
What did Christian Falk say to Newcastle regarding Diaby?
Listing off the interested parties in Diaby’s services, Sport Bild journalist Falk admitted at least three Premier League sides are monitoring his situation as things stand.
The reliable transfer expert hinted that should multiple teams stump up the desired fee being asked by Bayer Leverkusen, the onus will fall on the German club to decide Diaby’s next move.
“Arsenal have been focusing on him for a month, maybe a year,” Falk said of the winger. Newcastle is also hot right now, so for me, those are the two clubs to watch.
“Aston Villa would be very appealing to him at the moment, and it would give him the opportunity to show the Premier League what he is capable of.”
“Diaby’s club has recently signed Jonas Hoffman, a German national team player, who is filling in for him.
“You can see that now that they know Diaby is leaving, they want to sell him in order to profit from this transfer.” So I believe this is another player who will heat up in the coming weeks.”
What is Newcastle’s next step?
Aside from the Diaby trade, the Toon are set to have a busy summer with a number of incomings and outgoings.
According to The Daily Mail, a move for Leicester City midfielder Harvey Barnes is getting closer, with an initial bid of £30 million being prepared.
Going the other way out of St. James’ Park may be Allan Saint-Maximin, who, like many of his Premier League colleagues, is being courted by Saudi Arabian clubs, with the forward reportedly mulling a big-money move.
Whereas goalkeeper Karl Darlow could be on his way out, with Leeds United and Bournemouth preparing to compete for his services.
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