RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara has claimed he was unfazed by the reports linking him to Newcastle United in the winter market, but admitted the Premier League attracts him.
The Magpies were brought by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October 2021 and even before the arrival of the new owners, they wanted the midfielder.
Last November, SportBild reported the Tyneside club’s interest in the 24-year-old hadn’t gone away despite failing to land him in the summer of 2021.
On January 13th, we relayed news from Germany that Eddie Howe’s side desire to secure the Mali international’s services was ‘strong and concrete’.
A deal didn’t take shape and instead, the Premier League side strengthened midfield by signing Bruno Guimarães from Lyon in January.
Haidara, who took part in the Africa Cup of Nations with Mali, has returned to Leipzig after his country’s elimination from the continental tournament. On his return to Germany, Bild quizzed Haidara about Newcastle and Manchester United interest in signing him.
Responding to that, he said: “I can’t say much about that. I’m glad to be back. You hear rumours, that’s how it is when it’s the transfer period. But I still have a contract (until 2025, ed.) and I want to keep fulfilling it. I see no reason to think about a change.
“The English league is very interesting, many players want to prove their skills there. But I feel very comfortable here and I’m glad that I can develop further here. It’s clear that the English league is very interesting for all of us.
“But why should I throw this all away for something I might not be sure about? One wonders whether it’s worth it. Of course, I asked myself this question, but I don’t have an answer because I want to achieve my goals here with RB. That’s what I’m still working for.”
