Journalist Pete O'Rourke has now dropped a big Newcastle United transfer claim on Moussa Diaby.

The Lowdown: Club-record move?

It has been reported that the St James' Park outfit are now eyeing up a potential club-record move for Diaby in the summer transfer window.

It is not clear how much the Bayer Leverkusen winger would cost, but it is sure to surpass the £40m that they spent to sign Joelinton from Hoffenheim in 2019.

The Latest: O'Rourke's claim

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, O'Rourke has claimed that getting a deal for Diaby over the line would 'be a huge statement of intent from the owners' at Newcastle.

He outlined: "At Newcastle, we're able to go and do that daily, it shows that they are serious contenders in transfer windows now and future transfer windows that they will be out there trying to sign the best players and I think, again, would be a huge statement of intent from the owners."

The Verdict: Ambitious

Trying to lure Diaby to Tyneside would certainly be ambitious, but as O'Rourke says, it would represent a huge statement of intent from the Saudi ownership at St James' Park.

Hailed as ‘phenomenal’ by reputable football analyst Statman Dave after a standout display against Borussia Dortmund in 2021, the Frenchman scored a sensational 17 goals and supplied a further 14 assists across all competitions last season (Transfermarkt), and would be sure to rip up the Premier League.

Magpies journalist Aaron Stokes claimed that the 23-year-old would be a 'marquee' signing for Newcastle and that the club would be 'hitting the jackpot' if they bring him in, adding that he has 'electrifying pace', is 'good with both feet' and is 'fearless on the ball'.

If the Tynesiders were to sign Diaby, it would be sure to send a real statement to the rest of the English top flight.