A frustrating Newcastle United claim has emerged on their pursuit of Moussa Diaby in the summer transfer window...
What's the talk?
Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope has revealed that the Magpies will not be signing the Frenchman any time soon because of the financial aspect of any prospective transfer.
He Tweeted: "Deal for Moussa Diaby remains too expensive for NUFC & Jack Harrison also very difficult because of likely demands of Leeds."
The reporter then posted a video of the Bayer Leverkusen coach, Tweeting: Moussa Diaby is on that bus… if Newcastle United had £50m to spare they could have sent Eddie Howe down to Zell am See, met Leverkusen’s asking price & taken the winger back to their team hotel (just 15km north of here)."
Supporters will be gutted
This update will leave both Eddie Howe and the club's supporters gutted as it suggests that they do not have a great chance of landing the winger this summer.
Never say never, of course, but Hope's claim does not indicate that Newcastle have made any progress on this deal and Leverkusen appear to be sticking to their guns over their valuation, which they are well within their right to do.
This will frustrate supporters because Diaby is a player who has the potential to make a big impact in the Premier League for the Magpies.
The France international enjoyed an impressive campaign in the Bundesliga last term as he plundered 13 goals and 12 assists. He created 15 'big chances' for his teammates and only missed five 'big chances' of his own, which shows that he was clinical in front of goal and capable of regularly putting opportunities on a plate for the other attackers.
Therefore, he has the potential to be a brilliant player for Newcastle as he has proven himself in a major European league. If he is able to put up similar numbers in England then he would be a huge upgrade on the options they currently have at the top end of the pitch.
Callum Wilson (eight) was the only player in the squad who managed more than five Premier League goals and Allan Saint-Maximin topped the assist charts with five. This shows that the Toon struggled to find regular goalscorers and creators, whilst Diaby did both on his own for Leverkusen.
Howe will be gutted that, as it stands, he will not be able to work with the 22-year-old, because of the potential impact he could have on the team.
AND in other news, Howe can finally axe "struggling" flop with Newcastle bid for "humble" £30m "lion"...