NUFC target has now agreed to join another PIF-owned club – journalist

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If you were told ‘Moussa Diaby has agreed to join a club owned by PIF’, you would think it was brilliant news for Newcastle United. However, all is not what it seems.

The 24-year-old appears to be closer than ever to leaving Bayer Leverkusen, and wants his future to be sorted out this week.

He has been linked with a move to Newcastle, but the Magpies do not appear to be in the running to sign the France international.

Instead, it is Aston Villa and Al Nassr who are battling it out to land Diaby, who is reportedly keen to sign for a club in the Premier League.

That story sounded like it would be good news for Unai Emery’s side, but an update from journalist Rudy Galetti suggests that Diaby actually could be on his way to Saudi Arabia.

Moussa Diaby accepts Al Nassr offer

According to Galetti, Diaby has accepted an offer from Al Nassr to join the Saudi Pro League club. That means that a deal could be finalised if they agree a fee with Leverkusen.

He has stated that they will now make a formal offer for Diaby in the next few hours.

That means time is running out for Aston Villa to get their man, while it will also mean that Newcastle are going to officially miss out on a player who was described as their dream signing 12 months ago.

That is a shame for Toon fans, who have been eager to see the Frenchman join Eddie Howe’s side. It will be even more painful to stomach if he joins Al Nassr, as they have ties to the majority shareholders at St James’ Park.

PIF own 80% of Newcastle United, while they also own 75% of Al Nassr. You would expect the former to be their priority, yet it is actually the latter who suddenly appear to be favourites to land Diaby.

This begs a lot of questions. Does it suggest that while PIF are funding the deals, they are not the ones picking out specific players? And if Diaby is keen to secure a move away and is willing to go to Saudi Arabia at the age of 24 then why aren’t we making a move?

Perhaps Newcastle have changed their mind about Diaby, which is a surprise after a year-long pursuit. What is more surprising is that he could become the latest big name to head to Saudi Arabia.