‘Same price category as Mudryk’: Reporter thinks Arsenal signing Moussa Diaby is ‘unrealistic’

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Arsenal and Newcastle United fancy signing Moussa Diaby but any move this month has now been described as ‘unrealistic’.

That’s the view of Bild TV’s presenter Valentina Maceri, who believes a January deal for Diaby just isn’t going to happen.

Maceri noted that Diaby is one of Leverkusen’s most important players and they just won’t want to let him go.

Maceri believes that Leverkusen may seek a deal worth around €100million (£88million) – the same price as Mykhailo Mudryk.

Arsenal just missed out on signing Mudryk as he ended up at Chelsea rather than the Emirates Stadium.

Maceri thinks Diaby would be a great fit for Arsenal thanks to his pace and technique, but is completely ruling out a January move.

“I think it’s unrealistic. First of all because he’s one of the most important players for Bayern Leverkusen, and second, because he’s very expensive,” said Maceri. “So, we’re talking about the same price category as Mudryk who has cost around 100m euros so this will be the same fee for Moussa Diaby, so I think a deal with Arsenal is unrealistic. His contract with Bayern is until 2025 and for the winter I would say no.”

“I think he could fit very well into Arsenal. Especially because they have 20 games left and they really want to win their first title since 2004, they will need really good player and alternatives. I think he would be a very good alternative on the wings – that’s his strength. His strength is the speed, his technique, he is left-footed, he’s using his speed far wide and then going inside to shoot on target and I think this is what makes him a really good player and this is what could fit into Arteta’s XI,” she added.

Arsenal and Newcastle could still go for Diaby in the summer

Diaby has been sensational for Leverkusen over the last 18 months or so.

The Frenchman smashed 17 goals and 14 assists in 42 games for Leverkusen last season and has also racked up eight goals as well as four assists this term.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth claimed on Wednesday night that Arsenal had asked Leverkusen about a deal for Diaby, but they hadn’t even responded.

It seems clear that Leverkusen don’t want to lose Diaby right now, and Arsenal have already moved on by teeing up a move for Leandro Trossard.

Yet Leverkusen may well receive interest in Diaby come the summer.

Arsenal haven’t yet tied down Bukayo Saka to a new contract and Diaby could be a fine replacement, or the Gunners may look to add another attacking player to Mikel Arteta’s ranks if they win the Premier League title.

Newcastle have been chasing Diaby too, and the Magpies should be going big for a new winger at the end of the season given Eddie Howe’s lack of options out wide.

Leverkusen may feel safe for now but it would be a huge surprise if they didn’t receive a huge bid for Diaby over the summer.