Newcastle summer transfer plans: Diaby, Maddison, Pedro, Barnes

Updated: 11 Apr 2023 20:44 BST
3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain won’t be looking to bring in Moussa Diaby this summer, leaving the door open for Newcastle to make their move, FootballTransfers has learned.

Though there have been reports that the Ligue 1 giants are in for the Bayer Leverkusen star, we understand that the French club are unlikely to pursue former players at higher cost than when they left, even though they do like his profile.

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It is believed that Leverkusen will ask for a lower rate than the £60 million they demanded for the 23-year-old last year – and Newcastle remain keen on the winger.

Newcastle are also looking at Harvey Barnes over a possible summer move. There were murmurs last year and now the Magpies have rekindled their interest, looking to take full advantage if Leicester City were to be relegated this season.

The attacker has scored ten Premier League goals in 28 games this season, with Newcastle looking to bring in a first-team name on the wing. There are some reservations about Barnes’ injury record but the 25-year-old is being strongly pushed by some.

Maddison still an option

James Maddison is also liked but the general feeling is that the England international is not a priority position for the club. Maddison very much seems to depend on who Tottenham appoint as their manager, with the London side being thought of as the front-runners for his signatures. Maddison's current price tag is seen as unrealistic by Newcastle, but relegation could change that.

In terms of priority, we hear that Newcastle are hoping to bring in a central midfielder, left-back, and winger in the upcoming window.

© ProShots - Maddison is also liked by Tottenham

One defender being considered is Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth, who can also play at left-back or centre-back. Newcastle were initially put off by the £15m asking price but, again, relegation could help reduce that price. Arsenal's Kieran Tierney is also a target, as reported elsewhere, with Nuno Tavares, on loan at Marseille, thought to be coming back in, while the Gunners have Oleksandr Zinchenko as their first choice left-back.

Meanwhile, though Joao Pedro of Watford is liked, at this stage we are told a move would only be made for him if all other positions and are filled and a deal is there to be done.