Newcastle United are reportedly still interested in a move for Bayer Leverkusen winger, Moussa Diaby, having been heavily linked with the Frenchman over the summer.
What's the word?
Reports in the recent window revealed that the Magpies had abandoned a move for the 23-year-old as a result of the Bundesliga side's reported £60m valuation, with the Premier League outfit having been wary of being manipulated into forking out hefty fees and exorbitant wages.
Despite walking away from any deal a few months ago, the suggestion now is that the fleet-footed forward could again be a target when the market re-opens in January, alongside Leicester City talisman, James Maddison.
Transfer insider Dean Jones has now provided his thoughts on a potential capture of the France international - who has been omitted from Didier Deschamps' World Cup squad - with the respected source suggesting it could be a real coup for those at St James' Park.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones stated: “I’ve spoken a lot about this. I know for a fact that they do still love Diaby, and it’s no surprise because he’s got that game-changing potential. He’s got something different about him from most players in the Premier League.”
Forget ASM
Eddie Howe and co are likely to have kept a watchful eye on the youngster's form since the close of the summer window, with the eight-cap sensation having thrived for his current side so far this term, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in just 22 games across all fronts.
While it has proven a tricky start to the season for the German giants - with Xabi Alonso's side languishing in 12th in the table - Diaby has been something of a shining light both domestically and in Europe, having netted twice during Leverkusen's Champions League group stage campaign.
That competition is one which those at Newcastle are themselves looking to earn a place in next season, with the addition of such a "fearless" talent with "electrifying speed" - as described by journalist Aaron Stokes - likely to bolster their chances of a top-four berth.
The £31k-per-week gem is no mere one-season wonder either, with his overall record at the BayArena now standing at 84 goal contributions in just 146 games since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, having been a truly consistent force over the last few years.
That word consistency is not one that can be attributed to current Magpies hero, Allan Saint-Maximin, with the explosive forward having been unable to regularly deliver the goods in the final third in recent seasons, with just 12 goals and 16 assists to his name in the Premier League to date.
That rather measly tally includes just one goal and three assists in the 2022/23 campaign thus far, with injury woes having yet again plagued the 25-year-old this season, after previously enduring multiple spells on the sidelines since joining from Nice just over three years ago.
The addition of his compatriot - who can operate on either flank - could well see Saint-Maximin slip down the pecking order at the club, with Diaby able to match the mercurial talent's breathtaking speed, but while producing the end product to match.
As Jones alluded to, signing Diaby could well be a major statement capture as far as Newcastle are concerned, with the only notable victim of that move likely to be the club's current wing wizard.