Newcastle United planning to beat Manchester United to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara in January transfer window
According to Daily Mail Online, Newcastle United are plotting to pip Manchester United to the signing of RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara in the January transfer window. The Magpies have been active this month as they try to survive the relegation battle they are engaged in at the moment.
Newcastle have earmarked Haidara as a key target in the winter transfer window. His current contract with Leipzig will expire only in 2025, but there is a release clause worth £33million, which will become active next summer. But the Toons would have to fork a higher amount if they hope to get him this month itself.
The 23-year-old would demand a salary package of around £160,000-per-week with a long-term deal to complement it. As such, the total expense involved is believed to be around £80million, which the Magpies are ready to endure. He is currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, and it remains to be seen if they can convince him to move to St. James’ Park.
Retaliate!
It is pretty clear at this point how Man United have holes in their midfield that need filling as soon as possible. The Malian possesses a perfect blend of technical quality alongside defensive skills, which we could use at the moment. As such, we cannot miss out on an opportunity to sign him this month or even next summer.
While we have several issues within our squad and even if our current position in the Premier League table is not ideal, we are still a bigger team to play for as compared to Eddie Howe’s side. We are no pushovers in terms of financial might either, but the board must be composed on the matter and not dish out an exorbitant amount to seal this deal.
A transfer at the end of this campaign would have been a reasonable option, considering the reasonable release clause. But if we do not act now, our chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season could take a hit when we look at the top four race at the moment.
With Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic as our only natural options to play in a double pivot given Paul Pogba is out injured, the lack of depth is alarming, to say the least. Sealing transfers in January is often tough, with sides often unwilling to lose their best players midway through the season.
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With two weeks of January nearly behind us, it remains to be seen when we spring into action to bring in a midfielder- if we do so at all. Newcastle’s recent takeover poses a real challenge to the modern top 6 of the PL, and if we start losing out to them for our key transfer targets already, it wouldn’t paint a pretty picture of our current standing in English football.