Here we go!!! Club finally find a replacement for Newcastle’s top summer target and the magpies have been handed a green to complete the signature of “deadly forward”

Here we go!!!
Club finally find a replacement for Newcastle’s top summer target and the magpies have been handed a green to complete the signature of “deadly forward”

Newcastle United have been given a huge helping hand in their bid to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen after the German club identified his replacement, according to a report.

Diaby has been heavily linked with Newcastle over the past 12 months. Magpies chiefs have been very impressed by the winger’s form, as he has registered at least 10 goals and 10 assists in each of the last three seasons with Leverkusen.

Newcastle are also admirers of Diaby’s versatility. He likes to operate on the left flank but can play as a centre-forward or right winger too if required.

Arsenal have been tipped to rival Newcastle for Diaby. However, the Gunners are unlikely to move for him this summer as they are plotting other big-money transfers.

Arsenal have already captured Kai Havertz from Chelsea in a £65million deal, while Declan Rice will soon arrive from West Ham for £105m. Mikel Arteta’s side have also reached a ‘full agreement’ for the signing of Jurrien Timber, who could cost £38.6m in total.

With Arsenal out of the picture, German outlet Bild have provided Newcastle with another boost as they attempt to bring Diaby to the Premier League.

They claim Leverkusen are warming to the Frenchman’s exit after landing on Jonas Hofmann as his successor in attack. Leverkusen have signed Hofmann from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Monchengladbach for €10m (£8.5m).

Hofmann, who has agreed a four-year deal with his new club, is one of a select few number of Bundesliga attackers who is capable of replicating Diaby’s influence. Last term, he notched 14 goals and 12 assists in 33 appearances for Gladbach.

Newcastle target eyes Premier League switch

Diaby is now ready to push for a move out of the Bay Arena. And in more good news for Newcastle, he ‘aims to move to England next’, where Eddie Howe’s side are his main suitors.

Having come through the Paris Saint-Germain academy and then shone with Leverkusen, it seems the 23-year-old is eager to try out the Prem in the next stage of his career.

Although, Newcastle will face some serious competition for him. The report adds that he is also weighing up a potential return to PSG. This move appeals to him as he was born in Paris and has close ties with the club.

Thanks to their super wealthy owners, Newcastle now have the finances to compete with PSG, both in terms of a transfer bid to Leverkusen and a contract offer to the player. It will then be down to Diaby to decide where he wants to go next.

Diaby would be a brilliant signing for Newcastle. He would likely take up the left wing spot at St James’ Park, which could see him form an electric front three with centre-forward Alexander Isak and right winger Miguel Almiron. Of course, Howe also has striker Callum Wilson and fellow wingers Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy available to him.

Surprisingly, Newcastle have repeatedly been backed to offload Allan Saint-Maximin, even though he is a fan-favourite on Tyneside.