It may not yet be Baye bye Diaby

MOUSSA Diaby has not ruled out staying at Bayer Leverkusen this season as the Newcastle United target is keen to play in the Champions League and secure his place at the World Cup.

Newcastle have refused to give up on signing the France international but Leverkusen’s demands remain an issue.

The Bundesliga giants are asking for between £55m and £60m for Diaby and, given how Newcastle have already spent a similar amount on Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Sven Botman this summer, that fee will have to come down for a deal to be struck.

Newcastle’s owners are keen to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations to ensure the club can continue to evolve over the coming years.

That desire to get the best possible deal is not about to change - as tough recent negotiations with Lille for Botman proved.

After already strengthening his goalkeeping and defensive departments, boss Eddie Howe would ideally like to bring in a striker and a wide forward before the window shuts and Diaby is someone the coaching staff and recruitment team like.

The hierarchy has previously walked away when quoted eye-watering fees but, tellingly, that has yet to happen with Diaby, who was directly involved in 32 goals for Leverkusen last season.

Leverkusen are open to selling Diaby for the right price but remain optimistic the rapid forward will stay at the club for at least another season.

Diaby has not ruled out that prospect, either.

He was intending to hold talks with his family and representatives after France’s Nations League games last month and the 22-year-old would ideally like to play in the Champions League so Newcastle’s owners will have to sell the same ‘project’ to him they did to Botman, Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes.

Diaby is also conscious of the upheaval involved with changing clubs and adjusting to a new league and culture before the World Cup in November.

These factors will be taken into consideration when it comes to Diaby’s next move but at the moment Leverkusen’s demands remain the biggest obstacle.