Newcastle United appear to be backing away from Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby amid links with a move to Arsenal.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who report that Diaby is now ‘off’ Newcastle’s list of targets.
It’s stated that Diaby has ‘drifted out of contention’ for Newcastle as they chase another winger this summer.
Athletic Club star Nico Williams is now a prime Newcastle target for the summer window, according to this report.
It’s unclear just why Newcastle appear to be backing away from Diaby, with no specific reason stated.
The report comes as a real surprise given that The Northern Echo reported in March that Newcastle are lining up a club-record bid for Diaby.
Newcastle appear to have been very interested in Diaby and there has been little reason to change that.
No injury, no loss of form… unless there are huge demands from Leverkusen or Diaby, Newcastle moving away from the Frenchman is a surprise.
Arsenal could now be favourites for Moussa Diaby
Newcastle may be moving on from Diaby, but that doesn’t mean that a Premier League move is completely out of the question.
Arsenal appear to be very interested in Diaby and recent reports have linked them with a summer move.
The Gunners have been chasing Diaby for two years according to Fabrizio Romano’s reports in March.
Bild reporter Christian Falk also told Caught Offside in March that Arsenal have been in contact with Diaby’s agents to discuss a potential move.
The Daily Mail suggested last week that Arsenal will focus on signing Diaby ahead of Crystal Palace ace Wilfried Zaha.
The Telegraph reported just a few days ago that Arsenal have registered their interest in Diaby as they eye a summer deal.
Diaby – hailed as ‘astonishing’ over in Germany – has been a constant menace for Leverkusen, hitting 14 goals and 11 assists this season.
Adding that kind of attacking threat would make Arsenal even more dangerous and Newcastle seemingly backing away should excite Gunners fans.
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