Report: Newcastle identify their ‘absolute dream’ signing, he plays like a blend of ASM and Saka

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Newcastle United have identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby as an ‘absolute dream’ signing, according to BILD.

The German outlet – via Sport Witness – says the Magpies have not given up on Diaby after a ‘failed’ bid last summer.

Newcastle were chasing the 23-year-old in the previous transfer window, alongside Arsenal.

At the time, Diaby publicly confirmed his intention to stay put at Leverkusen for the 2022-23 campaign.

This season, the France international has impressed once again, with eight goals and four assists from 22 outings.

Diaby ended 2022 with 17 goals and nine assists for Leverkusen across the calendar year.

These numbers have helped ramp up interest in the forward, and Newcastle are said to be one of his main suitors.

Diaby is now apparently the ‘absolute dream’ signing for the Magpies as they plot next summer’s transfer strategy.

However, Leverkusen won’t want to sell and, with the player’s contract running until 2025, they hold all the cards.

Summer reports suggested the Bundesliga club valued Diaby at £60million.

Top talent with a great future

A challenging signing to try and make, but Newcastle’s financial muscle means they’re better equipped than many suitors.

And if the Magpies quality for the Champions League, this will no doubt give them more leverage.

Diaby looks like he ticks all the boxes for an elite club.

And many fans on social media have loved what they’ve seen from him.

One deemed him ‘the next Mane‘, one called him ‘a faster version of Saka‘ and another described him as a ‘Havertz / Salah hybrid’.

Meanwhile, Chronicle Live wrote of Diaby in May: ‘The 22-year-old’s playing style is best described as a blend between Arsenal prodigy Bukayo Saka and Newcastle maverick Allan Saint-Maximin.

‘He is a left-footed, direct wide-man who operates on the right flank and likes to maintain his team’s offensive width.’