According to reports in the Middle-East, Mo Diame is set to complete a surprise move to Qatari side Al Gharafa SC.

This comes from Stad El Doha, who claim the 31-year-old arrived in Doha yesterday – the capital of Qatar – ahead of his medical with the club.

خاص #استاد_الدوحة : لاعب نيوكاسل يونايتد الانجليزي الدولي السنغالي محمد ديامي صاحب 31 سنة وصل الدوحة للانضمام لنادي #الغرافة pic.twitter.com/Zyxp8C6aTj — جريدة استاد الدوحة (@stadeldoha) June 10, 2019

As we know, the club’s official retained list confirmed recently that the midfielder would not be signing a new deal this summer, meaning he’ll be able to join a club on a free once his deal officially expires at the end of the month.

A move to an uncompetitive Middle-East division would seem a slightly bizarre move given he’s only 31 and still looks capable at playing at a decent level, however, if these rumours are true, it may be that he’s landed one last big pay day.

The odd Premier League club had been linked (Brighton and Palace), but I expected him to join a promotion chasing Championship side, with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds both tipped to make moves recently.

Either way, I wish him well. He took time to settle into the side at St James’ Park, but he has been one of our better servants during Rafa Benitez’s reign.

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