Signing Sven Botman and Moussa Diaby would be an incredibly exciting start to the summer for Newcastle United.
Nothing appears to be agreed, but the noises coming out of St James’ Park are certainly promising. The Northern Echo report that Newcastle are increasingly confident of completing deals for both 22-year-olds.
Botman is currently with Lille, but very nearly joined the Magpies in January. He was our top defensive target, but a price couldn’t be agreed with the Ligue 1 side. But Amanda Staveley claimed he was desperate to join the club, and that could now happen this summer.
As for Diaby, he’s a French winger who currently represents Bayer Leverkusen. He’s had a sensational season in the Bundesliga, bagging 12 assists as well as 13 goals. He created more goals for his teammates than all of Newcastle’s wingers combined.
He’s already a France international, and is set to represent the world champions in the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
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No one knows what to expect this summer from Newcastle, but deals for Botman and Diaby would be a real statement of intent.
Newcastle lay down a real marker if they sign Botman and Diaby
When Newcastle conducted their January business, their main goal was to achieve Premier League survival. That’s why the likes of Chris Wood, Dan Burn and Matt Targett joined the club.
But this summer will be about helping Eddie Howe’s side progress up the table and laying the foundations for what is hopefully a bright future.
Bruno Guimaraes arrived at the age of 24 and will hopefully be a key player for the Magpies for years to come. If we’re ever lucky enough to make it back into the Champions League in the next five years, he will be a part of that team. He’s certainly good enough.
And the same can be said for Botman and Diaby. They are two incredibly bright talents, and at 22 could have long futures in the North East…if we complete the deals of course.
Word of Newcastle being confident is certainly encouraging, but we’ve been here before. So many times in January we heard the word ‘confident’, only for that confidence to be misplaced.
But Newcastle seem primed to make a big splash in the summer transfer window. Signing Botman and Diaby would be absolutely massive.