Journalist Grace Robertson has reacted to the news that Newcastle United are set to make a €65m (£55.5m) offer for Moussa Diaby.
According to French outlet L’Equipe (via Ronan Murphy), Newcastle are lining up a bid for the Bayer Leverkusen player. Of course, this transfer activity would come with Dan Ashworth only just being appointed as the Magpies’ sporting director.
It remains to be seen if this deal can get across the line for such a price, with SportBILD (via Football.london) reporting it would cost Arsenal £84m to sign Diaby in the past. Regardless, that Newcastle have even tried to sign the winger has left Robertson noting a familiar transfer plan already in action under Ashworth.
The journalist took to Twitter to compare this attempted deal with something Brighton & Hove Albion might attempt, writing: “Dan Ashworth’s been in the job two minutes and he’s already making the most ‘what if Brighton had more money’ move imaginable.”
Should Newcastle bid more than £55m on Moussa Diaby this summer?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Moussa Diaby and Newcastle…
While talking on the Everything is Black & White Podcast (via ChronicleLive), Brighton reporter Richie Mills said Newcastle fans can expect good things from Ashworth.
He explained: “You’re getting a very shrewd operator, someone who won’t be held to ransom in terms of transfer fees, and I think Newcastle fans can expect some very exciting transfers in the windows to come. He will look to connect the club better in terms of its departments.”
Considering Diaby scored 17 goals and claimed 14 assists in all competitions this past season, it’s easy to see why he has been targeted by the club, despite not necessarily being the most high-profile name in world football.
No doubt taking all that into account, you can see why Robertson was keen to make the comparison with Brighton’s past activity, with Ashworth being dubbed a transfer guru for signing the likes of Yves Bissouma, Tariq Lamptey and Marc Cucurella before they had reached their full potential.
Diaby might cost a fair price, but if Ashworth has truly done his homework, the winger could be worth every penny.