Florian Plettenberg has confirmed Manchester United are ‘monitoring’ Newcastle United target Moussa Diaby, who Bayer Leverkusen value upwards of £60million.

Changes at Newcastle are expected in the summer window. Since Eddie Howe took charge of the club, there have been incomings in every transfer window.

Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak are just some of the important assets to have walked through the door.

That the new signings have had an impact is clear to see. Indeed, the Magpies have secured Champions League football for next season, just six seasons on from being in the Championship.

The added games on the schedule due to European football means more reinforcements are a must.

Howe will want top quality new signings, so that his side can have a real crack at having European success.

One of those that has been mooted in Leverkusen’s Diaby. The Magpies are reported to be ‘getting serious’ in their interest in the French winger.

That same report suggested Newcastle ‘will make an offer’ for him, suggesting it’s only a matter of time before that happens.

Diaby on Ten Hag’s Man Utd wishlist

They’ll have Manchester United to contend with in pursuit of the forward, though. Insider Plettenberg reports Erik ten Hag’s side are ‘monitoring his situation’.

That might suggest United are ready to hijack the Magpies’ deal. However, Plettenberg has also played down the gravity of the St James’ Park outfit’s interest.

While he states Diaby is ‘on the list’ for the club, their interest was reportedly ‘not advanced in the last [few] months’.

What’s more, United’s approach will ‘depend on the club’s ownership’. Indeed, they might not have the cash to splash, depending on if the club does get taken over, and who it is by if so.

It will take a somewhat significant outlay for United to snare Diaby. Plettenberg reports Leverkusen value the forward at €70-80million (£60-69million approximately).

Diaby a fantastic signing

Judging by his returns over the past few seasons, Diaby would be worth that sort of sum. Last season, he scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in 32 Bundesliga games.

This term, he’s chipped in with nine goals and nine assists in 32 games. He also scored three goals and assisted once in eight Europa League games, after scoring twice in six Champions League games this campaign.

That he’s been such a quality asset in Europe bodes well for both United and the Magpies. The former are one point from securing Champions League, while Newcastle have of course already done so.

As such, if either side was to sign him, they’d know he’d be a useful option in the competition.

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