Newcastle set to rival Arsenal, Bayern and Milan for Leverkusen’s Amine Adli

Newcastle are considering whether to firm up their interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Amine Adli but would be expected to face competition from Bayern Munich and Milan to sign the France Under-21s winger.

Adli, a skilful 23-year-old who has six goals and six assists in all competitions this season, is also being monitored by Arsenal after a breakthrough campaign at Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso. Morocco are hoping to persuade Adli to switch his allegiance to the nation where his parents were born.

Newcastle have also been tracking Leverkusen's France international Moussa Diaby and are understood to have registered their interest in both players some time ago. They could now make a formal approach.

Adli's contract expires in 2026 and it is believed it would take a bid of more than £30m for Leverkusen to consider selling a player they signed from Toulouse in 2021 for about £13m. Alonso, whose side were beaten 1-0 by Roma in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday, would like to build his attack next season around Adli, who has made enormous progress under the Spaniard.

Leverkusen are believed to be more open to allowing Diaby, whose contract expires in 2025, to leave although it is likely they will demand around £60m for the 23-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain winger. PSG and Arsenal are also understood to have shown an interest.

With Eddie Howe attempting to strengthen his squad before embarking on what looks likely to be a Champions League campaign next season, Newcastle have also been linked with Leicester's James Maddison, the Hungary captain, Dominik Szoboszlai, from RB Leipzig and the Spain forward Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.

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Arsenal are showing strong interest in RB Leipzig's Mohamed Simakan, who signed a new contract at the German club in December until 2027. The versatile France Under-21 international is capable of playing in several positions in defence and could provide Mikel Arteta's squad with reinforcements for next season's return to the Champions League.