Manchester United are reportedly mulling over a £32 million offer to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara in January.
According to The Sun, Ralf Rangnick could soon make his first move in the market, just days after his appointment as the Manchester United manager. It appears the German tactician has contacted Volker Struth, the agent of Amadou Haidara, regarding a potential move in the upcoming January transfer window.
Haidara is currently a part of RB Leipzig and has a contract that does not expire until 2025. However, the report suggests Manchester United can swoop the player away from the Bundesliga club next month if they trigger his £32 million release clause.
It could be a major boost for the Premier League giants, who are in the market for a new midfielder in January. They have struggled due to lack of quality in the middle of the park, with Scott McTominay and Fred not providing enough consistency, whereas Paul Pogba is out with an injury.
The Frenchman has also been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, as there has been no substantial progress regarding his potential extension. Paris Saint-Germain have already stepped up their efforts in signing the ex-Juventus superstar, thus accentuating the need for a new midfielder. And this is where Amadou Haidara comes into the fray.
Formerly of Red Bull Salzburg, the Malian international was one of the first players to be linked with a move to Manchester United following the appointment of Rangnick. The German tactician, after all, knows the player well, having brought him into Leipzig in 2019.
His aggression, tenacity and ability to thrive in a counter-attacking system are favoured by the new Manchester United boss, who will attempt to radically change the club’s tactical approach. As such, he is also targeting like-minded players in the other departments, including Christopher Nknunku, who has been identified as a potential man to shore up the team’s offensive unit.
The potential addition of Haidara could thus make sense. The player offers a lot of versatility while his style of play is ideally fitted to the physically-astute nature of the Premier League. The 23-year-old is also a self-confessed Manchester United fan, making him an appealing target for the Red Devils.
However, it remains to be seen whether Manchester United are prepared to fork out £32 million for the midfielder in January. While Haidara is certainly a cost-effective alternative to the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Yves Bissouma, it will be a surprise to see Rangnick using a large chunk of his budget on a single individual like him.
