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 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.
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.
