Fabrizio Romano’s £50m ‘here we go’ proves Newcastle United had a lucky escape

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Fabrizio Romano has just delivered a ‘here we go’ that will have Newcastle United officials grateful they took their business elsewhere.

The Magpies have made some major signings since the change of ownership, with Alexander Isak the biggest. He cost £63million in the summer of 2022, becoming Newcastle United’s most expensive signing ever.

Before his arrival at St James’ Park, the Toon recruitment team had their eyes on someone else. Isak was seen as unattainable, while Newcastle aimed to bring in a winger to take Eddie Howe’s attack to new heights.

Moussa Diaby was seen as a dream signing for Newcastle, but a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for the Frenchman proved to be too costly.

The Magpies missed out, while Diaby went on to sign for Aston Villa 12 months later. Diaby was impressive at Villa Park, playing in every Premier League game and providing six goals and eight assists as they qualified for the Champions League.

Fabrizio Romano shares update on Moussa Diaby

Fast forward a year and the 25-year-old is already leaving Aston Villa. It was reported last week that Diaby had agreed personal terms with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, and now Fabrizio Romano has provided a fresh update on the forward’s future.

Romano wrote on X: “Moussa Diaby to Al Ittihad, here we go! Deal verbally agreed with Aston Villa for €60m package, add-ons included. Diaby has agreed on five year deal and now waiting for paperworks to review then sign.”

Perhaps Newcastle United had a lucky escape with Diaby

After just one season with Aston Villa, Diaby is leaving for £50million. Interestingly, he is joining a team that is funded by Newcastle United’s owners, PIF.

But from a Newcastle perspective, Toon officials may now breathe a sigh of relief that they were unable to bring Diaby to Tyneside.

When Newcastle are making major signings, they are bringing in players to be part of a project. We have seen Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak form the spine of Eddie Howe’s team – three players who arrived with high potential as well as the current ability to take Newcastle to greater heights. They were brought in to progress with the club, and the same would have been expected from Diaby.

Villa will have had similar ambitions, and Diaby helped them reach the Champions League. But even that was not enough to keep him, as he prepares to take his talents to the Middle East.

It is a shocking transfer, and Newcastle may now consider themselves lucky that they were unable to complete a deal for a player who is already turning his back on the Premier League after just one season.