Journalist Andrew Musgrove has claimed Moussa Diaby would be a great signing for Newcastle United, although his arrival could rock the dressing room atmosphere.
Diaby was a high-profile transfer target for Newcastle over the summer, though his price tag and the Magpies’ lack of European football saw the two parties fail to reach an agreement.
However, interest seemingly hasn’t gone away, with reports suggesting PIF are still very much fond of the French winger, and amid Bayer Leverkusen’s failures in Europe this season, they could strike up a deal in January.
Speaking on the It’s all Black N White YouTube channel, Musgrove claimed he’d be a great signing, but Diaby joining the club could ruin the atmosphere Eddie Howe has built at Newcastle.
He said: “He’s just one of those players who really gets fans off their seats. He would be a great addition, but again, it’s going to be interesting – do they go after someone like him who’s got clear ability and risk maybe rocking the dressing room unity?
Should Newcastle sign Diaby in January?
Yes!
No!
“I don’t know enough about Diaby, about his character, but it’s going to be interesting in the next couple of windows, because at some stage, you’re going to have to buy a really good, quality player who maybe doesn’t have the right attitude.”
TIF Thoughts on interest in Diaby…
If Newcastle and Howe are looking for a player that can potentially change a game on his own and is still young enough to grow with the club on their journey under PIF, we believe there aren’t many other options as well-placed as Diaby.
This is because since the start of last season, Diaby has managed to register 43 goal involvements across all competitions, which is the reason Leverkusen have placed such a high price tag on his head of around £60m. However, that could be money well spent if it gets the Magpies into the Champions League.
That said, Newcastle’s scouting team will know they’ve got to sign the right players, as one bad ego could completely curtail their season and see them plummet down the table quickly if they are not willing to buy into the hard-working culture the team have adopted under Howe.