An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Moussa Diaby heading into the summer transfer window...
What's the talk?
According to 90min, PIF are plotting a bid for the winger and are ready to break their transfer record in a deal worth over £50m as they attempt to bolster the club's wide options.
The report claims that Bayer Leverkusen want to keep hold of the Frenchman but could be willing to do business if an offer of £60m or more comes across the table.
Eddie Howe needs him
The Magpies head coach needs Diaby at St. James' Park next season as he would be a major upgrade on the club's current wingers.
In the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, no Toon wide man managed more than five goals or more than five assists. Taking Allan Saint-Maximin out of the equation, none of them scored more than two or assisted more than three.
Meanwhile, the Leverkusen man plundered an astonishing 13 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga in the season just gone. He has shown that he can make a huge impact in the final third on a regular basis, whilst Newcastle have struggled for any consistency from their players who play in the same position as him.
Diaby created 15 'big chances' in total and provided 1.9 key passes per game as he constantly set his teammates up with chances to score. The attacker is electric at the top end of the pitch and has proven that he has the end product to be a real threat in the Premier League.
Therefore, he would be a major upgrade on Howe's current options and that is why the head coach needs him on Tyneside next season.
Former Everton man Michael Ball once claimed that Diaby is "all pace" and this makes him an exciting prospect for the fans to look forward to watching. Along with his ability to score and create goals, he can use his speed to burst down the wing and get supporters up off their seats.
This means that the fans, as well as the manager, will be buzzing to have him in the squad for the 2021/22 campaign, which is why PIF must now secure this deal. His statistics illustrate his immense quality and he still has time to develop his game as he only turns 23 next month, giving him many more years to hone his skills.