PSG ready to sign Newcastle transfer target as Lionel Messi replacement

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Newcastle United appear to be part of the transfer merry-go-round at the top of the game this summer.

Linked, albeit somewhat dubiously, with moves for the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi, it’s clear Newcastle are now considered major players in the transfer market.

So much so that targets tracked by the Toon are also of interest to other leading clubs around the world.

The likes of Mason Mount, Declan Rice and Victor Osimhen have all been linked with moves to St James’ Park as well as a host of other big name clubs.

Another name to consider is Moussa Diaby.

PSG want Moussa Diaby to replace Messi

The French international has long been linked with a move to Newcastle and was even reported to have been Eddie Howe’s “dream” signing.

Still, PSG and Arsenal are also – according to the Evening Standard – said to be casting keen eyes over his situation at Bayer Leverkusen.

In fact, the Ligue 1 giants are said to be eager to bring the forward back to the French capital to replace Messi.

The latter was suspended by the club for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia and is being tipped for a money-spinning move to the Middle East.

Competing with PSG for Diaby will be difficult

A product of the club’s academy and born in Paris, it will be difficult to compete with PSG for the 23-year-old on both a financial and emotional basis.

We’ve already seen the sway they hold on French players during last summer’s Hugo Ekitike saga and the fact they are seemingly ready to do away with their superstar project with perhaps more astute signings is a worrisome prospect.

Still, it arguably shows that clubs who want to be taken seriously are ready to move away from signing players of Messi and Neymar’s ilk. If PSG of all teams are prepared to do that, it makes the idea of Newcastle ripping up their recent recruitment policy to turn to superstar additions even harder to believe.