It’s been an up and down few months for Newcastle United target Moussa Diaby.
After Bayer Leverkusen side pushed back a series of approaches from St James’ Park over the summer, the winger endured a tough start to the season, failing to score in any of his opening eight Bundesliga games and seeing Gerardo Seoane sacked after slipping to second bottom on the table.
Following those struggles at domestic level and an early exit from the Champions League, Diaby lost his place in the French national side, however, he’s been back in stunning form Xabi Alonso was appointed, bagging six goals and two assists in his last seven league games.
With RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku forced to pull out of France’s World Cup camp this week due to a late injury, many were tipping Diaby to receive a late call-up to Didier Deschamps 26-man squad.
However, despite an outstanding run of form from the former PSG talent, Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani has beaten him to it.
Ironically, Diaby seemed reluctant to swap European football at Leverkusen for a move to St James’ Park over the summer, yet you could argue his World Cup hopes may have been boosted had he made that switch!
It wasn’t to be, but it certainly feels like one to watch in 2023, with his club now out of the Champions League and well behind the top four in the Bundesliga (12th). Not one but two World Cup snubs may have also turned his head, especially now Eddie Howe’s high-flying Mags are unsettling the ‘big six’ in the Premier League.
