Aaron Stokes has claimed on the Everything is Black and White podcast that Newcastle United don’t have the advantage in their pursuit of Moussa Diaby.
Newcastle are yet to bring in any attacking reinforcements this summer, as PIF and Eddie Howe have seemingly focused on ensuring their backline, which kept four clean sheets in their last eight league games, is even more solid this season.
However, that doesn’t mean they’ve not been linked with attackers this summer, as the likes of Amine Gouiri, Armando Broja and Diaby have all seen their names attached to the Magpies this transfer window.
It’s the latter that is getting a lot of attention within the media, although his price tag and Newcastle not having Champions League football could hold them back, according to Stokes.
Will Newcastle sign Diaby?
Yes!
No!
Stokes said: “He’s back with Leverkusen. Their stance is very much the same – that they want to keep him, they’re going to build the squad around him.
“They’ve got a huge advantage over Newcastle because they’re playing Champions League football, and Diaby’s come out publicly in the past and said it’s his dream to play in the Champions League.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s pursuit of Diaby…
While the Magpies did very well to sign Sven Botman, a player who played Champions League football last season and was wanted by Milan this summer, bringing in Diaby, who lit up the Bundesliga with 25 goal involvements and can play in the Champions League this upcoming campaign, will be a whole lot trickier.
It’s not just the type of football that Newcastle can’t offer Diaby at the minute, as it’s been reported that his £60m price tag has already put off the Magpies, so it appears that a lot of negotiations need to take place before any deal gets near completion.