Mo Diame is ready to walk away from Newcastle United at the end of the month after landing a £100,000-a-week deal in Qatar, according to the Chronicle.
It was understood that the Senegalese international could be kept at the club if Rafa Benitez agreed a new contract, but as uncertainty reigns over the Spaniard’s future, it is believed that Diame will leave Tyneside when his contract expires on June 30th.
The 6’1″ colossus [Transfermarkt] is expected to join Qatari side Al-Gharafa on a bumper deal.
OPINION
This is hardly a surprise, truth be told, but it will still come as a disappointment to some fans. Diame has garnered a bit of a cult status on Tyneside, and the fact that Rafa Benitez was so keen on keeping him should tell you everything you need to know about what he brings to a side. Arguably more significant than his departure, however, is what it says about where Newcastle are at right now. If they had pulled their finger out and gotten Rafa tied down to a new deal, who knows, maybe Diame could have been persuaded to stay. But by dragging their feet and essentially bringing the inner workings of the club to a standstill, they have brought this situation on themselves. At the end of the day, Diame leaving won’t be too much of a blow, but who else are the Magpies going to lose because of sheer stubbornness before the summer is over?
