Newcastle ‘set to make £55m bid’ for 17-goal Arsenal and Manchester United target

Jason Soutar
Reported Newcastle target Moussa Diaby during a match

Newcastle United are preparing a €65m (£55m) offer for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, according to reports.

The Magpies are set to be very busy in the summer transfer window after spending close to £100m in January.


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While improving his side’s defence remains a top priority for Eddie Howe, the amount of funds at his disposal means attacking reinforcements should also be expected.

One reported target is Bayer’s French winger, Diaby. The 22-year-old is one of the most promising young players in world football and scored 17 goals across all competitions for his club this season.

According to French outlet L’Equipe (via Ronan Murphy), Newcastle are ‘set to make’ an offer for the youngster.

They will reportedly put £55m on the table, however, it has been said that Bayer are looking for closer to £84m.

Diaby is under contract until 2025 and has also attracted interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

He joined Leverkusen from Paris Saint-Germain for around £13.5m in 2019 after making 34 appearances for the French champions.

Elsewhere, Newcastle target Sven Botman has opened up on his Lille future.

When asked if he has played his last game for the French side, Botman replied: “I don’t know, but I think so. I intend to take a step. Talks are underway now. I won’t go into all that, but it’s going well. I do hope that the transfer for the new season is completed. Preferably also for the preparation, yes.”

It was then specifically stated that the Geordies and AC Milan are among the clubs trying to sign him.

Responding to that, Botman said: “Those clubs are interested, yes. I can’t and won’t say much more about it. What I want? Taking a nice step towards a nice competition. I am also looking forward to a new step. I am aware of what I want.

“That is not necessarily to that club or that competition. You weigh all kinds of things and then the total picture has to suit you. I have to have a really good feeling about it.”