Newcastle have again contacted Bayer Leverkusen over long-term target Moussa Diaby reports The Mail. Newcastle made initial approaches early last summer but the quoted price tag forced a look elsewhere; a search that continues to this day.
The meat of this latest inquiry is to be kept informed on the winger’s status. It has recently come to light that the 23-year-old is on Arsenal’s wishlist in the wake of Mykhaylo Mudryk’s unexpected move to Chelsea.
Leverkusen want to raise funds this month through outgoing transfers. Though, Diaby is not a player they would entertain losing mid-season as the club have started to turn the corner from a disastrous start.
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has helped mend the dire situation at the BayArena, though it took some time. After winning his inaugural match in early October, a 4-0 thumping against Schalke, Leverkusen went winless until an early November run of 3 wins pushed them to 12th in the Bundesliga.
Diaby was considered Newcastle’s top target for much of the summer window. His lofty price tag forced Newcastle to bid for other targets such as Jack Harrison. The valuation of Harrison at Elland Road also proved prohibitive.
The search for a winger goes on which likely won’t be resolved until the summer. Claims have also surfaced that Nicolas Gonzales of Fiorentina has been recently sounded out. The Argentine, like Diaby, would be an excellent addition.
The focus this month is to add a midfielder and potentially a young right-back. While there are plenty of options in both areas, cost is an issue. As of yet, Newcastle have yet to make a decision to move for any of their targets.
118 comments so far
Ap
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:32 AM
Comment #1Top of the food chain
simon376
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:33 AM
Comment #2Be cracking signing alongside centre mid and hopefully a young and decent striker if not spend on ready made one but cost a fortune
CLINT FLICK
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:38 AM
Comment #3Ruddy
Good post!
Nailed!
…And, Cyprus, with you on Darlow, top guy, good keeper, in the Steve Harper mould.
Adamn_92
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:38 AM
Comment #4Can’t see their valuation of Diaby being much different to what it was in the summer. Would be very expensive and very surprising if we made an attempt this window for him.
Danjuma would make more sense. Allegedly having talks with clubs in the league at the moment including Everton and Nottingham Forest. Potentially a loan deal. He’s worked with Howe and Tindall before at Bournemouth I believe.
We could loan him so we keep more money for the summer, would allow us to push Joe back into midfield and could then still decide to spend a bit on a midfielder if we wanted to.
Ap
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:45 AM
Comment #5Is raducanu a one hit wonder
Ap
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:45 AM
Comment #6Get carrasco
Ap
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:46 AM
Comment #7Or sterling on loan
Ap
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:48 AM
Comment #8Sir pugalot in care home during the bbc prank last night (notice exhaust pipe)
https://twitter.com/NoContextBrits/status/1615658413786013696?s=20
Ap
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:50 AM
Comment #9Dont want ziyech as he plays on right and we have almiron there
cleveleysbob
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:52 AM
Comment #10Woo Hoo, new thread – no more Rafa posts please!
And Catchy, before you start typing the next bloody chapter, as TDS has been known to say…. “F**k off” thank you. 😉
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:53 AM
Comment #11Unfortunately Mudryk has set a new benchmark in what clubs are expecting in their valuations.
Moonraker15
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:54 AM
Comment #12Mattroge
Bruce kept us in the Premier league more by good fortune than coaching ability. Also we were in deep relegation trouble when they eventually bought us!
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:54 AM
Comment #13cbob,
I’m not sure who the bigger tw@t is, codeye for luring people in to yet another tedious Rafa debate OR those of us that fell for it 😕
Moonraker15
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:55 AM
Comment #14Cleveleysbob
Sorry mate I just had to get that off my chest. Can’t stand Steve Bruce!
Davas
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:57 AM
Comment #15I didn’t watch the wolves v Liverpool game last night (Not a bit of interest) but it was interesting to hear that Liverpool were time wasting. Didn’t think St Jurgen would countenance that in one of his teams but maybe he thinks it doesn’t apply in the FA cup when done to a non 6 club.
Moonraker15
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:57 AM
Comment #16I watched Wolves last night and we should definitely try to get Ruben Neves. Put him in dm and push Bruno forward! Boom!
cleveleysbob
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:57 AM
Comment #17Leaks have a thread about BDB’s piles or Bruno’s chilblains and Shelvey’s warts – they’d all be more interesting than more bloody Rafa debate. It’s over he’s long gone, we’re in a new Era, things are looking good, “Let it go, Let it go, Let it go”
It’s cold enough here to be in Frozen 3. 😀
cleveleysbob
Jan 18, 2023 at 10:58 AM
Comment #18Leaks??? Ffs that was Let’s, when I typed it. 😆
Davas
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM
Comment #19I was wondering who Leaks was 🙂
cleveleysbob
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM
Comment #20Jail, Aye a lot were roped in. Best catch ever for Catchy the fisherman. 😀
Mattroge
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:03 AM
Comment #21Moonraker @12
He certainly did and I will never disagree with that!
CLINT FLICK
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:09 AM
Comment #22Cbob
Some can’t enjoy or even just be, in the now., I’m afraid mate.
Gotta enjoy the good, while it’s actually happening…not in retrospect.
Howay!
cyprus
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:12 AM
Comment #23The Rafa/Bruce debate has been beaten to death!
I’ll offer my opinion, if asked, but numbers are what remain. Under Ashley, our most successful manager in terms of win ratio was…. (Take a guess)
.
.
.
.
.
You guessed right! Big Sam, 33%.
On Bruce, Rafa, the record says “similar”, Rafa just edging it 31% to 29%. Rafa 27 wins in 86 games, Bruce won more, 28 but in 97 games.
As you can see, unless they all play exactly the same number of games, even stats lie. If we project the numbers to equal eachother, Rafa would’ve had 30 wins to Bruce’s 28.
Now, which coach offered up the best lullaby, there are no official stats.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:12 AM
Comment #24This new ownership are running a tight ship on the transfer interest and leaks. As frustrating as it is not hearing any news I think we can all rest assured there is serious work going on in the background.
cyprus
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:12 AM
Comment #25Source:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/steve-bruce-record-newcastle-benitez-b1941828.html%3famp
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:12 AM
Comment #26The funny thing about many of our opinions on things related to our club is that the vast majority of us are pretty damn close to each other with our viewpoints. But then arguments and insults break out over the tiniest differences of opinion. It would help to have a mackem in the room so the rest of us can all agree that he’s a w**ker!
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:14 AM
Comment #27cyprus,
Even that doesn’t paint the true picture, the first set of stats are from a championship team transitioning in to the PL, the second set are from a team that were PL experienced. Please let’s stop 😥
cyprus
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:16 AM
Comment #28Of course. There are many other factors to consider, other than number of games played.
E.g. attempts, shots on goal, which part of the pitch games played, etc., etc.
I’m dropping it 🙂
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:18 AM
Comment #29Raj – it’s 100% the right way for them to do it. If they have decided they want to go for top 4, then they need to keep that under wraps and sign players late and in a cluster. Otherwise, one statement signing where it isn’t a great deal makes it quite clear that we’re going for it.
I don’t think I’ve seen a single player move this January where I thought we should have been in there to sign them for that price.
Small World
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:22 AM
Comment #30cleveleysbob: You’ve mentioned the “R” word and put a hex on this article. Cyprus then has been unwittingly hypnotised and been drawn into repeating it.
Hope it doesn’t turn out to be another long day of you know what….
=> Feels a bit like saying the word Voldemort to (Graham?) Potter fans
cleveleysbob
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:23 AM
Comment #31It’s a wormhole, a black hole, a never ending route to madness, jump off before you get sucked into the maelstrom! – I think that’s a good Viking term for Catchy to latch onto. 😉
cleveleysbob
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:25 AM
Comment #32SW, I know, even trying to stop it means having to mention it, a total conundrum. 🙂
Mattroge
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:25 AM
Comment #33I’m sure NUFC will sign players this month & I’m also very sure that nobody outside of a very tight circle of people knows who they will potentially be. Taking a Twitter break to escape the rubbish on there. Finding here much more enjoyable. 🙂
Small World
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:25 AM
Comment #34Ap: “Is raducanu a one hit wonder”
I’d give it another year or so before deciding whether or not to sign her up as a new centre forward. :0)
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:28 AM
Comment #35Had to dip out and do some work (crazy I know) and came back on to read some lovely comments. Thanks folks 🙂
cleveleysbob
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:29 AM
Comment #36The Diaby connection is getting traction again, with reports we’ve been back in touch.
JohnJ
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:31 AM
Comment #37In my time as a Newcastle United supporter the managers that stand out for me are. In no particular order!
Joe Harvey
Iam Mcfaul,
Kevin Keegan,
Sir Bobby Robson
Rafa
Chris Hughton
Eddie Howe
There maybe someone I’ve missed out? But overall if I had to put them in order Eddie Howe would be top even though his career at NUFC is in its infancy.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:33 AM
Comment #38Lies, damn lies, stats…tories!
Money spent, working or otherwise relationship, fan engagement, feel good factor… etc etc etc.
The humam experience…
CLINT FLICK
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:34 AM
Comment #39Jj
A Cox?
CLINT FLICK
Jan 18, 2023 at 11:35 AM
Comment #40The early selection committee?
Not suggesting you were a supporter then, mate, btw.
😀