Newcastle United are ready to revive their interest in RB Leipzig star Amadou Haidara after previously missing out on the highly-rated defensive midfielder. Haidara, 25, has earned plenty of admirers on Tyneside, and across Europe, after becoming a key man at the Red Bull Arena.
Newcastle attempted to land the Mali international last summer but Leipzig made it clear they had no intention of selling while the player wasn't angling for a move. Brighton were met with a similar response when they tried their luck in January after identifying the Bundesliga star as a potential replacement for wantaway midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Leipzig have been able to stand firm in the face of significant interest but Chronicle Live understands the German club are expecting to lose Haidara this summer, with the player keen to experience life in England's top flight. "The matches in the Premier League are very intense. It’s always a good game, no matter which club plays. We’ll see what happens," Haidara admitted last year.
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Newcastle first touched base with Leipzig in January 2022 as the Magpies spent north of £100m to stave off the threat of relegation. Haidara, who has tried to model his game on the likes of Yaya Toure and Steven Gerrard, ticks a lot of boxes for Newcastle's scouting team and fits the bill of what the Magpies are looking for this summer with a deep-lying midfielder high on Eddie Howe's shopping list.
There will be competition to fend off, however, with Liverpool sending scouts to cast an eye over the former Red Bull Salzburg star and Brighton's interest not going away.
Manchester United are another interested party, with Haidara previously declaring his childhood love for the Red Devils. He also has a close relationship with former Old Trafford boss Ralf Rangnick.
Jonjo Shelvey's January exit has left Newcastle's midfield depleted and strengthening in that area is a priority this summer, as well as bringing in a left-sided defender and reinforcements in attack.
Newcastle have their irons in a number of fires and also have interest in Brighton's Caicedo. Scott McTominay continues to be linked, while Khephren Thuram has his admirers at Newcastle and across the Premier League.
Speaking last week, Howe admitted he wanted 'elite' players added to the St James' Park dressing room. “Our strategy last summer was to try and find quality players for the positions that we needed not to bring in a host of players who don’t necessarily improve our starting XI or squad," he told reporters.
“I don’t think our strategy will change. We want elite players because we have an elite squad. If we do add anyone in they have to be better than the players we have.”
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