Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Amadou Haidara from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig as cover for the injured Jonjo Shelvey.
According to a report from The Athletic, Newcastle United could apparently launch an ambitious late move to bring 24-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara to St. James’ Park before the summer transfer window slams shut on September 1.
Newcastle United are determined to splash the cash after a relatively quiet summer transfer window, having agreed a club-record £60 million fee with Real Sociedad for Swedish striker Alexander Isak, who has already completed his medical and will be officially announced as a Newcastle player in the coming hours.
The 22-year-old is expected to become the Magpies’ fourth summer acquisition, and it appears Eddie Howe is not done adding to his team just yet. The Newcastle boss has made no secret of his desire to add to his attack during the transfer window, having strengthened his backline with the signings of Sven Botman and Matt Targett while adding Nick Pope to his goalkeeping options.
However, key midfielder Jonjo Shelvey’s lengthy injury layoff may push the Magpies to look for a new holding midfielder. And it appears Newcastle could revisit their interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Haidara.
Newcastle were first linked with a move for Haidara in the January transfer window after their takeover, rivalling Manchester United in the 24-year-old’s chase. However, the player ended up staying put at the Bundesliga club, and Bruno Guimaraes was added to the midfield roster instead.
The Mali international has been linked again with the same move this summer as Howe tries to bolster his defensive midfield options. At 24, Haidara is seen as one of the brightest talents in the Bundesliga. He has made 114 appearances for Leipzig since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2019, contributing 11 goals and seven assists in the process.
However, Haidara has only featured for 31 minutes across Leipzig’s first three Bundesliga games, having made two substitute appearances as he is being reintegrated into the team gradually after suffering a knee injury in Mali’s World Cup 2022 qualifying defeat against Tunisia back in April that curtailed his 2021/22 season.
The 24-year-old is under contract at the Bundesliga club until 2025, and it has been previously reported that a £33 million release clause in his contract will become active at the end of next season. And Newcastle could try to tempt the Bundesliga outfit to sell their prized asset by making a similar or a slightly increased offer this summer.
Haidara is a well-rounded midfielder who stands out thanks to his progressive and athletic attributes. 0He would be a stellar addition, installing more swerve, precision and steel to Howe’s already sound mid-block. What now remains to be seen is when Newcastle formalise their interest for the 24-year-old midfield dynamo.
