Manchester United are being linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
The latest player to be connected with a move to Manchester United is Leverkusen speedster Moussa Diaby.
German reporter Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany reports United are ‘monitoring’ Diaby’s situation with the German side holding out for as much as 80 million Euros (£69 million).
Newcastle are also long-term admirers of the 23-year-old Frenchman, and Leverkusen would surely like a bidding war to materialise, if they decide to cash in.
Moussa Diaby to Manchester United: Reaction
I can’t see Manchester United making this move. Perhaps on one condition, which I’ll get to. As it stands, Diaby is the wrong player for what the squad needs.
The days of desperately needing wingers to add to the squad are over. United have a proliferation of them.
Diaby plays mainly on the right and there is no need to spend big on a position where there was heavy investment on Antony last summer.
United have Amad set to return, and also have Facundo Pellistri as an alternative option, although I’d expect him to head out on loan.
Diaby is a big talent, with 14 goals in all competitions and nine assists. For the fee Leverkusen want, probably overpriced just as Antony was.
The only way this move stands a chance of happening is if United decide to cash in on Jadon Sancho and sell the former Borussia Dortmund star.
Both players are 23, and Sancho has heavy competition on his preferred left side from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
United could sell Sancho and balance out the squad by signing Diaby, a right-sided winger, with Amad playing in the Bruno Fernandes role as he did frequently on loan at Sunderland.
It does seem unlikely United would prioritise Diaby, however. There are bigger areas of need, striker and central midfield, and if there is a Bayer Leverkusen player targeted, it’s probably more likely to be right-back Jeremie Frimpong.
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