Moussa Diaby looks like the perfect addition to Newcastle United’s forward line ahead of next season.
The Frenchman was a target last summer but proved to be too expensive, with the Magpies unwilling to break the bank for the Bayer Leverkusen winger.
Despite missing out last year, he has continued to be linked with a move to Tyneside. It was reported earlier this year that Newcastle would be willing to break their transfer record to bring Diaby to St James’ Park.
However, there appears to be an issue.
Moussa Diaby is too expensive for Newcastle
According to the Athletic, Diaby is a player that Newcastle continue to be interested in. However, they state that he is currently out of the club’s price range. The same goes for Dominik Szoboszlai, who the Magpies are seemingly unsure about right now.
There have been reports that Diaby could cost more than £50million, with Bayer Leverkusen wanting to sell him for four times what they paid back in 2019. Whether that is the fee that makes him too expensive, or the Bundesliga club have decided they want more, remains to be seen.
It is a great shame that Diaby is deemed too expensive right now, as he would be a sensational signing. While Miguel Almiron has been exceptional on the right wing, Diaby could take us to another level.
He has enjoyed another brilliant year in Germany, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions.
While the current word is that the ‘dangerous‘ 23-year-old is out of our price range, that could always change later in the summer. It feels like a fair stance at the start of the transfer window, when Newcastle are still working out how to get the most out of their transfer budget.
There are multiple positions that Newcastle would like to strengthen in. Howe is keen to sign a centre-back, a left-back, two centre-midfielders and a wide forward.
Diaby falls into the latter category, but using half of the budget to bring him in could have damaging repercussions for the rest of our transfer window.
It would not be a surprise if we revisit Diaby later in the summer when other players have arrived and it is more clear how much money we have left to spend.
