According to Foot Mercato, Newcastle are eyeing another swoop for January target Benoit Badiashile, as well as a move for Moussa Diaby.
What’s the story?
Well, the Magpies failed to sign the Monaco defender in January, but Eddie Howe has not given up on the Frenchman.
Foot Mercato believe it will take a sum of €40m (£34m) for Monaco to sell their towering centre-back, who has really made a name for himself in France.
Newcastle are also interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen forward Diaby, who has been in sensational form for the German side this season.
The 22-year-old has scored 16 goals in 38 appearances, while also providing 11 assists.
However, Diaby is set to cost slightly more than Badiashile, as Bayer Leverkusen demand a fee of €90m (£76m) to sell their dangerous No.19 this summer.
Foot Mercato believe Newcastle want Diaby to play opposite Allan Saint-Maximin, and form a dynamic wing duo.
Newcastle must sign Benoit Badiashile, but ignore Moussa Diaby
In our view, £34m for one of the most promising defenders in Europe, aged just 21, is actually a reasonable fee.
Therefore, Newcastle should submit a bid, as Howe could do with some more quality in the centre-back department.
However, a £76m move for Diaby would be far too expensive, as exciting as the young Frenchman is.
At this stage of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi’s project, Newcastle need to invest in upgrades across every area of the squad, rather than splurge a chunk of the budget on one player.
Therefore, a move for Diaby should be ignored, as he is simply too expensive.
Keep an eye on this situation, as anything could happen this summer.
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