Arsenal 'take pole position' in the race to sign Man Utd target Moussa Diaby

Arsenal have moved ahead of Newcastle United in the race to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen, with Manchester United also interested in the French winger.

Diaby has spent four years with the Bundesliga side, making 172 appearances since joining from Paris Saint-Germain.

But the 23-year-old's future in Germany has been questioned, with Newcastle making Diaby a priority target for acquisition over the last year and a half.

However, L'Equipe report that Arsenal have recently moved themselves into pole position to sign Diaby, ahead of the Magpies.

Newcastle has never been a priority for Diaby, which has allowed the Gunners to move ahead of them in the race for the Frenchman's signature.

Mail Sport previously reported that Manchester United were also in the race to sign Diaby, who scored 14 goals for the Bundesliga side last season and made 11 assists.

A return to PSG is also potentially on the cards after his significant improvement in Germany.

It was claimed that Leverkusen want around £65m for the 23-year-old, and that the German side had agreed to let Diaby leave, along with his team-mate Jeremie Frimpong, who has also been linked to Man United.

Diaby's contract with Bayer Leverkusen currently runs until the summer of 2025, but the club have historically sold players before they enter the final year of their contracts.

Diaby is currently with the French national team squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Gibraltar on Friday and Greece on Monday.

French team boss Didier Deschamps was asked about the impact of the transfer window on the team, but with no major competition to contend with, the subject is a little more relaxed if necessary.

Deschamps said:  'Let the players move, no, they are in training. But if there is a special request, we can adapt. The door is open to facilitate the situation of the player concerned.'

Bayer Leverkusen finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season, 21 points behind the pace set by champions Bayern Munich and runners-up Borussia Dortmund.