Amadou Haidara was heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur but Premier League rivals Southampton are now reportedly leading the chase.
The chances of Amadou Haidara moving to England this summer from Red Bull Salzburg appeared to be over.
France Football had reported that Tottenham Hotspur had made an enquiry about the 20-year-old Mali powerhouse, having been impressed by him as Salzburg reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, knocking out Dortmund and Lazio before an unfortunate defeat to Marseille.
But then Haidara seemed to commit his future to the reigning Austrian champions by signing a new deal until 2022 just last week. That does not appear to have put off Southampton though.
Salzburg have a fine record when it comes to developing young talent, with Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Dayot Upamecano all emerging from the Red Bull sponsored club over the last few years. And Haidara, who played a remarkable 55 games in all competitions last season, is the latest to emerge.
The versatile talent assisted ten goals last season and scored eight of his own, including a wonderful solo strike against Marseille in that Europa League semi.
If Southampton manage to hang on to Mario Lemina, the prospect of a partnership between him and Haidara should have fans drooling.
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