A Twitter exchange between two Newcastle United fans epitomised how far the club has come in the past year. Having a heated debate about whether the Magpies should sign Marco Asensio or Moussa Diaby was a pipe dream 12 months ago.
Reports have linked both European stars with Newcastle as Eddie Howe and the recruitment team aim to bolster their attacking options. The prospect of enticing Asensio, a three-time Champions League winner, from Real Madrid, was pure fantasy under Mike Ashley - but not anymore.
Spanish outlet AS claims Liverpool, AC Milan and Arsenal are rivals for the 26-year-old’s signature. With one year left on his contract at the Bernabeu, Asensio could be available for a cut-price fee. ChronicleLive understands his agent, Horacio Gaggioli, is flirting with a move to the Premier League.
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Diaby is a player who United have been linked with for several months following a stellar campaign at Bayer Leverkusen. An impressive 13 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga last season makes him hot property and Newcastle would need to stump up around €60million to land the Frenchman.
Discussion between supporters over which superstar they prefer out wide for the Toon next year is surreal after the years of stagnation. This time last year, the Magpies reportedly refused to fork out £1million to sign Leicester City's Hamza Choudhury on loan.
Newcastle reached September 1 with a worse squad than the one they had on the final day of the previous campaign as Joe Willock - the only arrival last summer - was already here on loan. That feeling was all too familiar to fans who witnessed their spend, on average, a measly £9.3million per season throughout the entire Ashley era.
Vehement debates can become toxic on social media but there should be no need to vent any spleen on Tyneside right now as the rumour mill continues to churn. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, Newcastle fans.
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