Newcastle: 'Quality' £60m star 'would be huge signing' at St James' Park

Newcastle United ‘will send out a statement’ if they succeed in completing the ‘huge signing’ of Moussa Diaby at St James’ Park, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Magpies have been busy since the summer transfer window opened for business, with them spending close to £60million on Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman, but they could part with a record-breaking fee for Diaby.

Although Bayer Leverkusen have set a £60million price tag for Diaby and Newcastle have been unwilling to meet that figure, it still appears the Tyneside giants are preparing to test the Bundesliga outfit’s resolve.

According to 90min, the Magpies are gearing up to break their transfer record in order to sign the 23-year-old winger.

The report suggests Diaby, an eight-cap France international, has been on Newcastle’s radar for a prolonged period of time and remains head coach Eddie Howe’s top attacking target.

With Joelinton being the Magpies’ club-record signing, it seems the hierarchy are willing to spend upwards of £40million in order to get their man.

Newcastle are able to splash the cash after the Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund led a £305million takeover last October, making them the richest club in world football.

O’Rourke believes Newcastle will signal a statement of intent by tempting Leverkusen into selling Diaby this summer.

However, the journalist warns a number of other clubs are also keeping tabs on the wide-man’s situation.

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O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “It would be a huge signing for Newcastle if they went out and broke their transfer record to sign Diaby. That would send out a statement to everybody that Newcastle do mean business.

“He’s a