If there’s one area of the pitch that desperately needs improving at Manchester United these days, it’s in midfield.
It’s clear that Nemanja Matic no longer has the required legs for his role in long stretches, meaning a replacement is needed sooner rather than later, and Paul Pogba’s absence, inconsistent form when fit aside, is starting to be felt.
One name that keeps popping up since the arrival of Ralf Rangnick is that of RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara, a player the German manager knows well from his extensive time with the Red Bull group.
Of course, this would come at a cost, and reports emerged that a fee of at least €20m would be needed, but it seems it will be far more than that.
Newcastle and Manchester United are interested in Amadou Haidara who’s dreaming of playing in UK (favourite club as a kid: #MUFC). Talks ongoing. But RB Leipzig’s pov is quite clear: No interest to sell the midfielder in winter! €40m-release-clause activates in summer. @SPORT1
— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) January 17, 2022
That’s because Sport 1’s Patrick Berger sought to clarify the situation on Monday, explaining that Manchester United, alongside Newcastle, are indeed ‘interested in Amadou Haidara’, who is ‘dreaming of playing in the UK’ before adding the well known fact that his ‘favourite club as a kid’ was the Red Devils.
It’s pointed out that ‘talks are ongoing’, but RB Leipzig’s position is ‘quite clear’ and that’s that they have ‘no interest of selling the midfielder in the winter’. Therefore, Rangnick’s side will have a battle ahead of them if it’s a January deal they want.
As for what happens once the season ends, if someone desperately wants him, there will be a €40m release clause that ‘activates in the summer’, making any transfer far easier if that fee is met.
