Mo Diame is on the verge of sealing a £100k-a-week move to Qatar, as he gives up waiting for Rafa Benitez’s decision at Newcastle United, according to the Chronicle.
When Newcastle announced their released players list a couple of weeks ago, Diame’s was the big name included on it.
In all honesty, it wasn’t a huge surprise, as the writing was effectively on the wall when he was left out of the starting lineup for a couple of games, meaning an automatic one year extension clause was not triggered.
But it was subsequently reported that if Rafa was to stay, he may try to keep the former Senegal international at St James’ Park.
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However, with the continued uncertainty surrounding the manager’s position, Diame looks to have secured a move to the Middle East worth an eye-watering salary.
Diame cannot wait around for Newcastle to sort their business out
No one can blame him, and the player owes Newcastle United nothing.
The club is in limbo, and with the realistic chance that Rafa may not be here next season, and new owners, with a new vision, may take over, why should he wait and possibly miss out on this opportunity?
It is highly unlikely he would get a deal that huge in this country anymore, and having just turned 32-years-old, he is probably signing one of his last playing contracts.
Very few players would be able to turn down those amounts of money, particularly coming to the end of their career.
I am sure that most Newcastle fans will thank him for his service to the club, and wish him well at his new club.
Let’s just hope Newcastle can manage to sort themselves out to leave enough time to find a capable replacement.