Newcastle lose ground in race to sign ‘dangerous’ player, he’s one of Howe’s top targets

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Arsenal are now said to be frontrunners for the signature of one of Newcastle United’s top long-term targets in Moussa Diaby.

Despite an 18 month chase, Newcastle could now miss out on one of Eddie Howe‘s top targets to Premier League rivals Arsenal as reported by L’Equipe via Get Football News France.

Bayer Leverkusen and France winger Moussa Diaby is still on Newcastle’s radar despite the Magpies feeling that his club’s valuation is too high.

Arsenal are now said to be the leaders for Diaby’s signature

Real Madrid have also said they don’t feel a move for Diaby would represent good value for money given his lack of experience at the ‘elite’ level.

However, it doesn’t appear to be putting off Arsenal who are now said to be leading the pack for the ‘dangerous‘ 23-year-old.

Diaby has never been sold on the idea of a move to the Toon

As the report states, despite Newcastle being keen on Diaby, the feeling has never been mututal even with Newcastle wanting to make him a key figure of the new project over the next five years.

We know that Leverkusen value Diaby at £65million, but so far no potential buyers have agreed with that figure, so if Arsenal are to make their move it’ll be interesting to see what their opening bid will be and if that bid is accepted, whether Newcastle would match it.

It does seem that a move to Arsenal does interest Diaby though, and that means that the Gunners now look more likely to sign the pacey winger this summer after they failed with a deadline day move for him last year.