'Would be a bigger statement than Botman' - Journalist excited after hearing who could join NUFC

Adam Stokes has been speaking about his excitement on the Everything is Black and White podcast about Newcastle United looking to sign Moussa Diaby.

The French winger is reportedly a big summer transfer target for Newcastle and PIF after impressing this season in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen as he managed to put up impressive numbers such as 17 goals and 14 assists.

However, something that is seemingly holding the Magpies back is the winger’s price tag, which currently stands at £60m – something that PIF have reportedly baulked at according to Luke Edwards – but Stokes believes that Diaby could be a major statement of intent if brought to Tyneside.

Stokes has claimed that signing Diaby would be a bigger signing than long-term target Sven Botman this summer.

He said: “I think if they can pull this Diaby deal off, it would be a bigger statement than Botman, to be honest, because look at what he’s done at Leverkusen this season – 13 goals, 13 assists; he’s unlike a French winger in Newcastle’s side.

“He’s in the French setup, he’s sort of well-earned his place there. Leverkusen are absolutely desperate to keep him – their sporting director, Simon Rolfes, came out a couple of weeks ago and said they’ve made it clear that they really don’t want to sell him. They’re optimistic that he’ll stay.”

TIF Thoughts on Diaby to Newcastle…

Despite Newcastle seemingly having some of the wealthiest owners in the world of football, they are reportedly only looking to hand Eddie Howe a very modest £60m transfer budget, so bringing in Diaby would leave the Magpies with nothing else left to spend.

Stokes mentioned that Diaby would be a bigger statement signing than Botman, who has been on the club’s radar since January, and while