- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle United are scouting Red Bull Salzburg’s rising star, Samson Baidoo.
The Premier League trio have made different starts to the new season, with Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe’s side unbeaten after four matches.
But Tottenham’s defeat to Arsenal on Sunday in the north London derby was their second in their opening four Premier League games.
Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle have some of the top centre-backs in Europe on their books from Treble-winner John Stones, speed machine Micky van de Ven and the ice-cool Sven Botman, but they have another player on their radar.
Samson Baidoo’s progression
HITC understands that Manchester City have been impressed with the progress of Red Bull Salzburg defender Samson Baidoo.
The 20-year-old defender made his debut for Austria last year and a number of clubs have been trailing him since his breakthrough into the first-team picture at Salzburg.
Baidoo, a ball-playing centre-half who loves to carry the ball into midfield, is now attracting the attention of clubs such as Manchester City – who have been keeping tabs on his progression in the last 18 months.
HITC is told that the scouts at the champions of England are impressed with how Baidoo has improved his overall game.
Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle have watched Samson Baidoo in action
But Manchester City are not the only watchers of Baidoo, as HITC can confirm that Tottenham and Newcastle have also witnessed him in action this year.
We are also told that Barcelona, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund are admirers.
Over the years, RB Salzburg have helped progress the game of many top stars who have taken to the Premier League stage.
Erling Haaland is the top striker in Europe after scoring 29 in 27 matches for the Austrian club, whilst Sadio Mane secured legendary status at Liverpool.
Mane played 87 matches for Salzburg, scoring 45 goals and supplying 32 assists, before making his name in the Premier League.
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