Newcastle: PIF make major decision on £60m forward at St James' Park

Newcastle United’s proposed move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Eddie Howe’s charges now appear to be focussing their attention on bringing in attacking reinforcements in what remains of the summer window, but it seems as though they are now assessing alternative targets.

Sheth’s employers revealed at the start of the month that Newcastle have an interest in Diaby, who registered 17 goals and 14 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions last season.

However, The Telegraph have provided an update on the 21-year-old’s situation, stating that the Magpies are unwilling to match Leverkusen’s £60 million asking price.

It’s claimed that Newcastle have not ruled out a compromise being reached between the two clubs for Diaby, although with the upcoming campaign fast approaching, other options are being considered.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope and defenders Sven Botman and Matt Targett have already been added to Howe’s setup and now an attacker capable of providing some extra firepower is next on his agenda.

Sheth has informed GiveMeSport that Newcastle will only pay what they ‘feel is reasonable’ for players and ‘don’t want to be taken for a ride’ despite their new-found wealth.

He told GMS: “I think they’re also looking at Moussa Diaby, the winger from Bayer Leverkusen. That one looks like it is not going to happen either purely because of valuations.

“And that’s another theme with Newcastle United, just because they are the new cash-rich club in European football, they don’t want to be taken for a ride.

“They will do business in a way that they feel is reasonable. They do not want to be in a position where selling clubs feel that