Newcastle could now swoop for ‘very quick’ £60m star in January

Newcastle United could ‘revisit’ a deal for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby in January, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Magpies were strongly linked with a move for the 23-year-old over the summer before opting to sign Alexander Isak in a club-record deal from Real Sociedad instead.

What is the latest news involving Diaby?

Back in July, The Telegraph reported that Newcastle had ended their pursuit of Diaby due to Leverkusen demanding £60 million to sanction his sale following an outstanding 2021/22 campaign.

However, a recent update provided by The i stated that the Magpies are continuing to monitor the France international’s progress as they scour the market for attacking reinforcements.

Diaby’s current £49,000-per-week contract is not due to expire until the summer of 2025, though, leaving Leverkusen in a very strong position around the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph has also claimed that Newcastle are not expected to spend big in the winter window despite their ongoing admiration for Diaby and Leicester City’s James Maddison.

What has Jones said about Diaby?

Jones believes that Diaby would be a ‘fantastic signing’ for Newcastle and Eddie Howe and that the club may make an inquiry in January to see if his situation has ‘changed at all’.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Jones said: “There’s always that factor of, ‘can he definitely be a success here?’

“I think he probably will be. I think it’d be a fantastic signing, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Newcastle do revisit it in January just to see if the situations changed at all.”

Do Newcastle need Diaby?

Newcastle’s campaign is perhaps going better than anyone could have predicted, with Howe’s charges currently battling for a top-four finish and looking like a genuine threat to the established top-six already.

The likes of Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson are enjoying some of the best form of their careers, while Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin have been restricted to a handful of appearances due to injury issues.

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Nevertheless, the addition of Diaby, who registered 17 goals and 14 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions for Leverkusen last term and has been labelled ‘very quick’, would surely take Newcastle to the next level.

The versatile winger would provide Howe with another exciting option out wide and his arrival on Tyneside may well spur Newcastle on to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.

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