Newcastle have reportedly launched a surprise move to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Diawara. Highly-rated by Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick, he said he can follow in Liverpool star Naby Keita’s footsteps.
Diawara, 23, joined Leipzig in January 2019 from Salzburg – after 13 goals and 17 assists in 83 games for the Austrian giants. At Leipzig, Salzburg’s parent club, he has since clocked up 101 appearances in midfield.
Now a regular for Leipzig, Haidara is currently playing at the African Cup of Nations – lasting 81 minutes in a 1-0 win over Tunisia on Wednesday. The Mail claim Newcastle are planning an £80million move.
Indeed, Haidara has a clause in his contract that is worth just £33million – but only becomes active in the summer. He will cost a whole lot more this month, as much as £80million. He wants £160,000 a week.
Speaking about Haidara in 2019, now-United boss Rangnick said: “There aren’t many players his age with so much potential. He has all the requirements to follow in Naby Keita’s footsteps.”
Rangnick on Haidara: Newcastle will hope he exceeds Liverpool ace Keita
Keita, who cost Liverpool a huge £52million (TalkSPORT) in 2017, has been indifferent during his time at Anfield. Injuries have marred his progress and while there have been glimpses of class, it has not been consistent.
Keita and Haidara are slightly different – in that Haidara is more of a holding midfielder. His goal involvement is less than Keita’s given that he is more of a four, than Keita – who is probably more of an eight.
But what is a certainty, is that Newcastle need a midfielder like Haidara. Whether Newcastle will bow down to Leipzig’s demands and spend a massive £80million – double their current record – remains to be seen.
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