EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle make Moussa Diaby priority transfer

Steve Kay

Updated: 6 Jul 2023 18:50 BST
4 min read

Newcastle have rekindled their interest in Moussa Diaby this window while Harvey Barnes is not a priority.

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We understand that Eddie Howe wants to go back in for the Bayer Leverkusen winger ahead of the club's return to the Champions League. Newcastle also like Eintracht Frankfurt's Jesper Lindstrom, who we revealed wants out of his current side this window.

Diaby was a target of Newcastle last summer but the club were ultimately put off by Bayer's asking price for the Frenchman. But now he has just two years left on his contract and so the Bundesliga side may be receptive to a lower offer.

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Barnes is being considered by Newcastle but it's our understanding that the Foxes star is further down the list than the aforementioned attacker.

Diaby has Champions League experience and is thought to be one of the best in his position in the world right now.

It comes after our story that Jesper Lindstrom is keen on a summer move.

The Dane has been one of the Eagles' standout performers in recent years, but his time with the club could be coming to an end.

Lindstrom, 23, is keen on playing Champions League football next season, we hear, and he would be willing to push for a move despite being generally happy at Eintracht. This decision is informed as much by Frankfurt's poor end to last season as by their decision to sack Oliver Glasner.

The 2022 Europa League winners surprisingly managed to reach the Champions League round of 16 last term, but their league form suffered as a result, with them eventually dropping out of contention to again compete in Europe's premier competition.

Just two wins in their final 13 Bundesliga fixtures saw them finish 7th, just enough for Conference League qualification. Glasner was fired in May, officially leaving the club after the season's conclusion.

We are told that the Austrian was like a mentor to Lindstrom, putting his trust in a young and skinny Danish kid even when he was sidelined with injury.

We also understand that Lindstrom already informed his camp during the winter break that he wants to compete in the Champions League next term, be it with Frankfurt or another club.

Premier League clubs keen

The attacking midfielder is still under contract until 2026 and does not have a release clause, but Frankfurt would be open to granting him his wish at the right price. RB Leipzig have reportedly already had a €25 million bid rejected.

Liverpool and Arsenal have previously been heavily linked with Lindstrom, while Newcastle are now being credited with a strong interest in the Dane.

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BILD claims that AC Milan are also in the race. According to the report, Frankfurt are asking for €30m to €40m, more in line with his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €32.1m than Leipzig's offer.