Moussa Diaby interest puts Allan Saint-Maximin under real Newcastle pressure

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Newcastle United have been linked with a club record move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby – a potential move that would certainly interest Allan Saint-Maximin.

Diaby was linked with the Magpies during January, along with his current teammate Mitchel Bakker. Of course, neither moved to St James’ Park.

The Diaby rumours haven’t gone away though. The Daily Mail claimed on Saturday that Newcastle were planning a £50million summer move. That would make him the most expensive signing in the club’s history.

The 22-year-old is incredibly talented, and has been linked with huge clubs such as Liverpool.

Landing him would be a real coup for Newcastle, as they continue their exciting new journey under new ownership. Diaby would be a huge signing for the Magpies, and mean the club have two sensational French wingers.

Moussa Diaby and ASM fighting for one position potentially

For a long time, Saint-Maximin has been Newcastle’s talisman. He was often the club’s only hope during Steve Bruce’s tenure – even playing through the middle at times.

But he’s back on the left-wing under Eddie Howe, which is also where Diaby predominantly likes to play. So could a move for his fellow countryman create a problem for Saint-Maximin?

He’s enjoying an excellent season so far, boasting five goals and three assists. However, Diaby’s numbers in the Bundesliga are even more impressive. He has 12 goals and seven assists in 23 league appearances. Diaby also has five goal contributions in the Europa League.

The Leverkusen star would walk into Newcastle’s starting XI, but could give Howe a selection headache.

Does he want two luxury players starting out wide and potentially lose out defensively? And if so, which player gets to play on their preferred left side?

If not, one of Diaby or Saint-Maximin could find themselves on the bench – which wouldn’t make sense at all.

While Diaby would be an incredible signing for Newcastle, his potential arrival would certainly raise questions about how he and ASM would fit in the same side. Then again, that’s not a bad problem to have, is it?