Newcastle launch an ambitious move for RB Leipzig’s Man United target Amadou Haidara, with total cost of any deal expected to exceed an eye-watering £80MILLION
- Newcastle are attempting to recruit Amadou Haidara from RB Leipzig
- Magpies have signed Kieran Trippier and triggered Chris Wood’s release clause
- Haidara, a central midfielder, has also been linked with Manchester United
- Expected cost of any potential deal is likely to stretch beyond £80million
Newcastle are trying to pull off an ambitious move to sign RB Leipzig central midfielder Amadou Haidara.
After landing right-back Kieran Trippier, activating Burnley striker Chris Wood’s £25m release clause and opening talks over a move for Reims frontman Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle have identified Haidara as another key target they want to sign this month.
Newcastle are keen to strengthen all areas of their squad before the January window closes and are prepared to push the boat out for Haidara, 23, who has also been linked with Manchester United.
Newcastle are trying to pull off a massive move for RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara
Newcastle expect the total cost of a deal for the highly-rated Mali midfielder, who is currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty, to stretch beyond £80m.
Haidara, currently contracted to RB Leipzig until 2025, has a release clause of around £33m that becomes active in the summer.
Newcastle would have to pay more than that figure to persuade Haidara’s Bundesliga side to do business this month.
Haidara would command a long-term deal and wages in the region of £160,000-per-week, which would make him Newcastle’s highest earner.
Haidara would be the club’s best-paid player but it remains to be seen if he can be persuaded
Eddie Howe is scrambling for new recruits to help stave off relegation this season
While Newcastle have the funds for such a deal following their Saudi takeover its success is likely to hinge on whether they can persuade Haidara to join their relegation fight.
They managed to convince Trippier to swap Champions League-chasing Atletico Madrid for St James’s Park and hope they can do the same with Haidara having earmarked him as a player who, like the England right-back, could become a key player for the club and leader for the team in the coming years.
Haidara has been at Leipzig since 2019, racking up almost 100 appearances, having started his professional career in Austria with RB Salzburg. He has also won 25 caps for his country.
The Mali midfielder is 23 and has also been linked with Manchester United
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