Bayer Leverkusen pulled a previously unknown release clause in Jonas Hofmann's contract last week, thereby signing the Gladbach player for a bargain 10 million Euros. The unexpected transfer shook up the Bundesliga.

Now, it could unleash a chain reaction of right-winger transfers. The reason? At Leverkusen, the freshly signed Hofmann looks predestined to replace Moussa Diaby, who has been heavily linked with Arsenal and Newcastle United.

The next step in the career of the French international (nine caps) has been a long time coming. Diaby came to Leverkusen from PSG in 2019 for a 15 million euro fee. His value has more than quadrupled since and it is expected that Leverkusen would put a price tag north of 70 million euros on their prized asset if he were to leave the club this summer.

In his four seasons with the Bundesliga team, he has scored 49 goals and set up a further 48 goals in 172 games for the club. A left-footed player who can be used on both wings or as a second striker, the 23-year-old loves running directly at defenders and overpowering them through his dribbling skills or pace.

Diaby's efficiency as an attacking threat is also reflected in the frequency of his crosses (13th most in the Bundesliga), sprints (6th most in the Bundesliga) and in his blistering speed, which he often relies on to take on defenders. With a top speed of 36.52 km/h, the 23-year-old is the fourth-fastest player in the Bundesliga, ahead of greats like Leroy Sane, Randal Kolo Muani or Marcus Thuram and and behind only Karim Adeyemi, Sheraldo Becker and Alphonso Davies.

Diaby, a citizen of France and Mali, was born in Paris in 1999. He joined Paris Saint-Germain's famed academy at the age of 14 and played alongside future stars like Timothy Weah, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Christopher Nkunku. Even among the excellent crop of talent in PSG's youth set up, the 5'6” (1.70m) winger quickly turned heads. In 2017, Diaby was chosen as PSG's Best Talent of the Year, joining the illustrious ranks of previous awardees like Alphonse Areola, Kingsley Coman or Jean-Kevin Augustin.

The number of young wingers of Diaby's caliber who are not yet under contract at Champions League clubs can be counted on one hand. This makes the 23-year-old a prime target on the transfer market, which remains open until September 1.

Alas, not all is lost if the Frenchman stays in Germany this summer. At Leverkusen, Diaby could continue his fine development under coach Xabi Alonso and play with gifted teammates like Patrik Schick, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and new signing Granit Xhaka.