Moussa Diaby would have been an amazing signing for Newcastle during the summer, and the Frenchman is still rumoured to be a target for the Magpies.
Eddie Howe’s side were heavily linked with signing the 23-year-old during the summer transfer window. However, he proved to be too expensive.
The Telegraph claimed that Bayer Leverkusen wanted £60million for the Frenchman, which was too much for Newcastle. Diaby ultimately decided to stay in Germany, confirming his decision to stay where he is to the media.
But the Magpies are still seemingly keen. Toon scouts saw him score in the Champions League last week against Atletico Madrid.
While they will have been impressed by what they saw, it could prove difficult to bring Diaby to Tyneside in the near future.
Diaby is Newcastle’s ‘dream’ signing
According to the Athletic, the France international is very much a ‘dream’ signing for Newcastle United. Given his obscene ability, that certainly isn’t an understatement.
However, they add that he is ‘out of Newcastle’s range’ as things stand at the moment.
That’s a blow for supporters who are keen to see Diaby in a black and white shirt this season. It was disappointing when he didn’t arrive in the summer, as he would have been a transformative addition.
But it was always going to be difficult to bring him to St James’ Park. Leverkusen didn’t need to sell, which is why they put such a big price tag on his head.
As for Diaby, there were never any reports stating his desire to join Howe’s team during the summer. He was gearing up for Champions League football with Leverkusen, and is hoping to go to the World Cup with France. Therefore, he had no reason to angle for a move.
Combine all of those factors and it’s no surprise Diaby didn’t sign for Newcastle.
One for the future possibly
While he is seemingly unattainable now, that doesn’t mean that will always be the case. Perhaps things will change in the summer of 2023.
The landscape could be very different by then. There are no guarantees that Leverkusen will still be a Champions League club, as they have started the new Bundesliga season very poorly.
There is also a chance that Newcastle could be a more appealing club to join. Who knows where we will finish this season. While the points tally suggests otherwise, we’ve had a very encouraging start to the campaign.
More importantly, the Magpies will be in a position to go again financially next summer. He could be the landmark arrival of 2023, just like Alexander Isak was this year.
Diaby is Newcastle’s dream signing, and the Toon owners will still have ambitions of achieving that dream. Patience will be key, however, and so will good fortune.