Chelsea and Man City among five Premier League clubs watching Bundesliga star

Chelsea and Manchester City are among a handful of Premier League clubs that are interested in signing an in-form Bundesliga star.

According to 90min, representatives from five top flight sides were in attendance in Germany this week to watch Bayer Leverkusen’s win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, with Moussa Diaby the focus of their attention.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, as well as Chelsea and City, are listed as the clubs that are interested in the 23-year-old, who has been arguably Leverkusen’s best player so far this season.

The German side have struggled during the early weeks of the season, winning just one of their seven league games, but they were impressive when triumphing over Atletico in midweek.

Diaby, a versatile player who can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder, scored Leverkusen’s second goal against the Spanish side.

Last season, he netted 17 goals and provided 14 assists in 42 games across all competitions, including 13 Bundesliga goals.

He has now scored 36 goals and provided 39 assists in 134 matches for the club since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

Diaby wasn’t included in the latest France squad

During his time in the French capital, Diaby made just 34 appearances but did manage a combined 11 goals and assists during that time.

Newcastle have held an interest in the player for a long while now, and were reportedly close to signing him over the summer, although a move never materialised.

It is understood that Chelsea had representatives at the match to watch winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is on loan at the club, but that they were also keeping a keen eye on Diaby and were largely impressed by the Frenchman.

Chelsea and Tottenham were both very busy in the recent window, but could both make a move for the player in January or next summer.

The former Crotone loanee has made eight appearances for the France senior side since making his debut towards the end of last year, although his relatively poor form so far this term has seen him lose his place in the latest squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.

Diaby will be hoping to improve his form in time to return to the squad for the World Cup in November.