Transfer expert Dean Jones has backed Newcastle United in their reported pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby in the January window.

The Lowdown: Newcastle interested in Diaby

It was reported in October that the Tyneside club ‘retain an interest’ in the Frenchman ahead of January, having reportedly held an interest in him over the summer.

PIF 'absolutely love' Diaby in terms of what he can bring to the table, so it will be interesting to see whether they follow up their interest with a formal offer.

The Latest: Would be a 'fantastic' signing

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has claimed that Diaby would be a 'fantastic' signing at St James' Park, adding that he would not be surprised if Newcastle try to go back in for the 23-year-old in January.

The journalist said: “There’s always that factor of, ‘can he definitely be a success here?’

“I think he probably will be. I think it’d be a fantastic signing, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Newcastle do revisit it in January just to see if the situations changed at all.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

Lauded as a player with ‘electrifying pace, good with both feet and fearless on the ball’ by The Chronicle journalist Aaron Stokes, Diaby more than showed his credentials last season with 13 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga, while this term he already has nine goal contributions to his name in the division (Transfermarkt).

He could count himself very unlucky to miss out on the France squad for the World Cup in Qatar, and a move to the Premier League in January could give him that extra motivation to get more recognition for the national team ahead of the next set of major tournaments.

Diaby is still only 23 years of age and appears to have such a high ceiling from which the Magpies could really benefit over the next few seasons if they can entice him to Newcastle.