Newcastle United are ‘increasingly confident’ of luring Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby and Lille defender Sven Botman to the Premier League after holding talks with both players this week, according to the Northern Echo.
As Aston Villa blindsided the transfer market and announced the shock signing of Diego Carlos for a bargain £26 million this week, the more critical members of an expectant Newcastle fanbase would have been forgiven for wondering what had just happened.
Carlos, after all, was a major target for the Magpies back in January. And, after being quoted far more than £26 million at the time, it certainly felt odd that Aston Villa had such a clear run at one of Europe’s finest centre-halves.
But maybe there’s a simple – and rather exciting – explanation.
According to the Echo, Newcastle have stepped up their pursuit of Dutch international Botman this week. The Ligue 1 winner, like Carlos, is a superb left-sided centre-back and, in truth, there is no room for both at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United in talks with Sven Botman
Newcastle’s pursuit of Botman goes back even longer than their pursuit of Carlos.
Amanda Staveley insists the 22-year-old – Eddie Howe’s number one centre-back target – wanted to join in January (The Athletic). Botman, for what it’s worth, insists that Newcastle’s interest was ‘very concrete’ while hailing the ‘project’ on offer on Tyneside.
Botman was all set to join newly-crowned Serie A champions AC Milan but that deal has now stalled, allowing Newcastle to swoop in.
What’s more, The Echo believe that negotiations with France speedster Diaby are also underway. The jet-heeled wideman could set the club back a club record fee in excess of £40 million.
A tally of 17 goals and 14 assists for Bayer Leverkusen in 2021/22 suggests Diaby is worth every penny. Though it must be said that former team-mate Leon Bailey has found life hard this side of the Channel.
A ‘supernatural gift’
“Since he was young, Moussa had this talent,” the former PSG youngster’s former youth coach tells The Athletic. “Very quickly, you realise that he has explosiveness. An ability to take on his opponent and dribbling skills.”
“I’m not comparing him to (Lionel) Messi. I’m just saying that Lionel Messi didn’t learn his dribbling anywhere. It’s the same for Moussa. He was born with it.
“Moussa has a supernatural, divine gift. A gift that some have and others don’t.”
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The Newcastle chiefs are reportedly more and more confident that both Botman and Diaby will arrive in the coming days or weeks.
Two genuinely elite-level talents, some of the best in their position anywhere in Europe, joining for a combined £70 million; There are worse ways to kick off the first summer window of the Saudi Arabian era at St James’.
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