Amadou Haidara's claim that Manchester United are his "dream club" is a major boost to Ralf Ragnick 's transfer plans.
The RB Leipzig midfielder is reportedly on the Red Devils' list of targets, with United scouts set to head to Germany in the coming days to assess the 23-year-old.
Haidara has made 100 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, proving to be an integral player under both Julian Nagelsmann and Jesse Marsch after being signed by the club's former director of football, Rangnick.
But it appears that the Mali International, who has been capped 24 times by his country, would be interested in a fairytale move to Old Trafford, thanks comments he made in 2019.
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"My dream club is Manchester United," he told Foot Mali. "I will fight with all my strength to one day play for that club."
Rangnick served as director of football for both Red Bull Salzburg and Leipzig from 2012 to 2019, having two spells as manager of the latter.
It was in east Germany where the 63-year-old coached Haidara, having acquired him for the Red Bull group's Austrian-based side back in 2016.
Three years later, Rangnick brought him to Leipzig as a replacement for Liverpool -bound Naby Keita.
"We’re very happy to have worked out the transfer of Amadou Haidara," the acclaimed German coach stated.
"There are not many players out there who have his potential. He has all the prerequisites to succeed Keita."
Current Borussia Dortmund and ex-Salzburg boss Marco Rose has also worked with Haidara, with similar praise to his coaching counterpart.
"He's an excellent footballer, who doesn't worry too much," Rose explained. "He just goes out and shows his qualities on the pitch.
"He has a lot of dynamism, particularly with the ball, and he's willing to work. He has a lot of good attributes."
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While Red Devils supporter may recognise Haidara from United's Champions League clash in Leipzig last season - in which Haidara scored - they may not be pleased to hear about his footballing role model, Steven Gerrard.
"He was an exemplary player who had it all and battled on the pitch," the box-to-box dynamo once said of the Liverpool legend.
"I'm a combative player who works hard in defence and I try to do my best going forward. I've also got a good shot."
If he turns out be anywhere near Gerrard's level, Rangnick will have a top player on his hands.
