Newcastle United have retained their interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara, who has a €40 million release clause.
A new report from SportBild, as relayed by Sport Witness, has offered an update on Amadou Haidara’s future at RB Leipzig. The talented midfielder was courted by multiple English clubs in the summer, including Newcastle United. However, a move did not materialise due to his release clause, which currently stands at €40 million.
The report further suggests that Newcastle United have retained their interest in the midfielder. They were rebuffed by the €40 million price tag in the summer, but after being taken over by a Saudi Arabia-based consortium, they now have the funds to facilitate the move and make Haidara one of their first signings under the new manager Eddie Howe.
A native of Bamako, Haidara is one of the many talented midfielders RB Leipzig currently have in their roster. Since joining the club in 2019, the youngster has become a key figure in the team with almost 100 competitive appearances.
A central midfielder by trade, the Malian international is not a fully-fledged starter in the Bundesliga team. However, his aggression, tenacity and versatility had made him a smart tactical weapon for former coach Julian Nagelsmann. New coach Jesse Marsch, though, has largely used him in central midfield, in a more defensive role.
Nevertheless, Haidara has flourished under the American, despite the club’s rusty start to the campaign. He notably starred in the win over Borussia Dortmund recently, forming a solid midfield combination alongside Tyler Adams, who is a target for Newcastle’s Premier League rivals Arsenal.
As for Newcastle, they are considering Haidara as an ideal option to reinforce their options in the middle of the park. The 23-year-old’s ability to play in a variety of different roles could make him an asset under Howe, while he also offers aggression in the second line of press.
In many ways, the RB Leipzig talent is a more realistic alternative for Newcastle United’s bizarre transfer target in Casemiro. At the age of 23, Haidara has time on his side and the room to further improve himself as a midfielder. Having been coached by the likes of Nagelsmann and Marsch, the Malian is one of the most tactically astute midfielders in the Bundesliga as well, making him quite a bargain for the Magpies.
