Newcastle United make decision on Moussa Diaby transfer decision amid £65m release clause

Newcastle United have reportedly made a major transfer decision after dropping their interest in Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby.

The Magpies have been heavily linked with a move for the French winger in recent transfer windows and are believed to have sent recruitment staff to watch him in action on several occasions over the last 12 months. However, the Daily Mail have now suggested United are ready to focus their attention elsewhere and have Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams and Bayer Leverkusen star Dominik Szoboszlai in their sights as they look to add to their creative options this summer.

The report also states the Magpies have the likes of James Maddison, Mason Mount, Declan Rice and Kieran Tierney on their list of summer targets as they look to strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad ahead of their return to European competition but ‘fierce’ competition and sizeable demands of selling clubs means they have produced a list of alternatives.

Hungary International Szoboszlai is said to be of interest after the Magpies learnt of a £65m release clause in his contract and that has led to long-term target Diaby ‘drifting out of contention’ for a summer switch to St James Park.

Meanwhile, the same outlet have also reported Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth and scout Mick Tait have both been to visit Championship club Blackburn Rovers in recent weeks as they monitor the progress of 18-year-old midfielder Adam Wharton.

The youngster has impressed during the opening stages of his senior career at Ewood Park and scored his second first-team goal on his 22nd appearance for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side at Millwall on Monday afternoon. The report states the likes of Arsenal, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United also have an interest in the six-times capped England Under-19 star.