West Ham United want to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen

West Ham United are keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, but he would likely cost around £60m according to 90min.

The French international is expected to leave the Bundesliga club this summer after increasing interest from a number of clubs including Newcastle United and Arsenal.

However the Hammers would be forced to smash their transfer record with German intermediaries believing the Bundesliga club would be willing to do business at around £60m.

West Ham

Diaby managed 13 goals and 12 assists in the German top flight last season, a total only bettered by Christopher Nkunku and Thomas Muller and has already been capped five times by France at 22-years-old.

It’s believed that Newcastle are the front runners for a deal but Leverkusen are telling interested parties that they do not want to sell the player.

Statement

If West Ham are truly serious about building a squad that can compete for Champions League football, then signing Diaby would be a tremendous start to that.

He is quick, skilful, has an eye for goal and is creative as his stats suggest, but has also been described as ‘technically gifted’ by Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes in the past.

West Ham

The deal would obviously take a big chunk out of whatever budget David Moyes has to work with currently, but it’s also evident that he would be a real game changer and a statement signing for the club.

Michail Antonio and Jarred Bowen need help in attack so the amount they’re relied on is lessened and Diaby would be able to provide that, while also showing the likes of Declan Rice that the club are really serious about progressing to the next level and competing on a higher stage.

In other West Ham news, Hammers target has already taken pictures with club shirt and a potential announcement date has been shared by ExWHUemployee

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