Your Newcastle United transfer rumours for Friday, March 31.
Record bid for Diaby
Newcastle are reportedly prepared to smash their transfer record to sign Moussa Diaby, according to The Northern Echo. The Frenchman was one of the names continuously linked with a Tyneside move last summer.
Despite a slow start this season, Diaby has rediscovered his golden touch and is Bayer Leverkusen’s top scorer - with 12 goals across all competitions. Toon chiefs forked out around £58million to obliterate their transfer record on Alexander Isak a year ago.
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Now, fresh reports suggest the Magpies, bolstered by possible European qualification, will do the same again. Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has previously claimed Newcastle - as well as Arsenal - retain their Diaby interest.
“Arsenal have appreciated Moussa Diaby for a long time,” he told Caught Offside. “It’s almost been two years following him but the same has happened with other clubs including PSG and Newcastle.”
Another winger?
Another winger, Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati, has also been linked with a St James’ Park switch. Spanish outlet Sport claim Newcastle are considering a bid for the unsettled youngster.
Huge expectations were placed on Fati when he initially burst onto the scene. Taking Lionel Messi’s iconic number 10 jersey following his Paris Saint-Germain switch hardly quashed the hype, with Fati struggling to follow in the Argentine's footsteps.
Astonishingly, the 20-year-old has not completed a full 90 minutes in La Liga this season. An influx of attacking players - including Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski - has resulted in Fati struggling for game time.
A way out of Barcelona appeared unthinkable 18 months ago but now talk of Fati leaving is ramping up. Signing Anthony Gordon in January has not silenced suggestions that another up-and-coming winger could arrive at the end of the season.
However, one caveat is Fati’s lengthy contract, with the Catalans tying him down until 2029. Barcelona would likely command a hefty fee but well-documented financial problems may force a sale.
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