Newcastle United have, on Thursday, seen the club’s ongoing pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby afforded a boost.

After sealing a big-money deal for LOSC Lille star Sven Botman, the coming weeks, of course, are expected to see the transfer team at St. James’ Park prioritise fresh blood in the attacking third.

Amid Callum Wilson’s long-standing injury woes, and the lack of production on the part of Miguel Almiron, the Magpies are understood to have set their sights on additions both out wide and through the middle.

And one such option sitting high up the wishlist of the Geordie outfit, as alluded to above, is Moussa Diaby.

The 22-year-old has long been regarded as one of the Bundesliga’s finest up-and-coming talents, with his head-turning haul of 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions this past season having only seen interest in his services continue to mount.

Newcastle, in turn, have been tipped as ready to do whatever was required to beat out the competition, and seal a deal for the Bayer Leverkusen standout over the weeks ahead.

And, as alluded to above, on Thursday, any such hopes on the part of the Magpies have been afforded something of a boost.

Speaking to Sky Germany a short time ago, Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes was asked for an update on the future of the club’s talented wide-man.

And, after assuring that he remains ‘optimistic’ regarding the chances of Diaby staying put, Rolfes went on to admit that when sides of Newcastle’s calibre, boasting ‘incredibly large financial opportunities’, come calling, a sale simply cannot be ruled out:

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