Newcastle United transfer target set for Premier League medical as £35m deal agreed

One of Newcastle United’s long-term transfer targets is heading to the Premier League this summer.

As per The Athletic, Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby in a deal worth around £35million plus add-ons.

The Frenchman is understood to have already agreed personal terms ahead of undergoing his medical. Diaby has turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

Newcastle were first linked with a move for Diaby 12 months ago before they broke their transfer record to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for £60million.

His name cropped up again this summer but the Magpies have opted to move for Leicester City star Harvey Barnes as a replacement for the outgoing Allan Saint-Maximin, who is set to join Al Ahli.

Diaby moved to Leverkusen in the summer of 2019 after coming through the academy ranks at Paris Saint-Germain. The 24-year-old had established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best performers scoring 49 goals and providing 48 assists in 172 games.

Aston Villa, who travel to St James’ Park on the opening day of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, are hoping to replicate Newcastle’s Champions League success from last season.

Villa ended the campaign as one of the league’s in-form teams with Unai Emery, appointed in October, leading the club to a seventh-place finish.

Emery is very pleased with his recruitment so far, signing Youri Tielemans as a free agent from Leicester City and Pau Torres from his former club Villarreal.