Journalist Aaron Stokes has claimed that Moussa Diaby would be a 'monumental signing' for Newcastle United but they are more likely to chase him in the summer.

What's the word?

With the transfer winter market open for the last few weeks, the Magpies are still yet to seriously splash the cash on any new incomings.

With that in mind, fans will still hope for an exciting and swift move for a couple of signings before the month comes to an end. Bayer Leverkusen ace Diaby has been enquired about supposedly by Newcastle.

However, it doesn't look as if a move for him is likely to happen this season. Indeed, in a Q&A for ChronicleLive, Stokes billed the player as a potentially huge signing but accepted that he probably won't be up for sale in January.

He explained: "As for Diaby, he would be a monumental signing for NUFC. Costing close to £100m, he is probably more likely to be chased in the summer when Bayer are likely to be more inclined to sell."

Bidding war incoming?

Interestingly enough, Arsenal have also been linked with the player of late as they look to sign a new winger after missing out on key target Mykhailo Mudryk who joined Chelsea instead.

Still, Leverkusen were quoting a fee in the region of £100m last summer to sell the player and it seems unlikely that they will sell for much less to either the Gunners or the Magpies this winter.

After all, Diaby had 31 direct goal contributions in 42 games last season and has maintained that form this term with eight goals and four assists in 22 outings.

And so, it's not hard to see why the winger would be a very exciting signing for Eddie Howe's men. And while the club may have been prepared to wait until the summer before moving for him, it will be interesting to see if Arsenal's sudden interest sparks a bidding war soon than anticipated.