Newcastle are reportedly prepared to launch a huge £60million for Amadou Haidara to hijack Ralf Rangnick's first Manchester United signing.
Mirror Football understands the RB Leipzig midfielder is a top target for Rangnick this January.
Back in December, the Red Devils' interim boss was in talks with the agency that represents the 23-year-old about a possible move.
It is understood that Haidara has a £33m release clause that will become active in the summer.
But with competition hotting up for the Mali international, interested parties are expected to shell out significantly more this month to secure his signature.
Have Your Say! Will Haidara end up in Newcastle or Manchester? Comment here.
Who is Amadou Haidara? A closer look at Man Utd's No1 midfield transfer target
Chris Wood to Newcastle? Peter Crouch mocks £20m pursuit with brilliant response
According to the Daily Mail, a deal for Haidara could reach upwards of £80m, despite his relatively low release clause becoming active in just six months time.
Newcastle have shown they are not afraid to splash the cash already, bringing in Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid for £12m plus add-ons.
And the Toon look set to add Burnley target man Chris Wood to their ranks after activating his £25m release clause.
But Haidara is another calibre of player who has his best years ahead of him so he will surely take some persuading to join a relegation dog fight.
It's thought that Haidara, who is currently competing in the Africa Cup of Nations, would command a weekly wage of around £160,000-per-week as part of his long-term deal, making him Newcastle’s highest earner.
The news will come as a real blow to temporary United manager Rangnick, who signed Haidara for Red Bull Salzburg from the JMG Academy Bamako back in 2016.
The German then took him on to Leipzig in December 2018, where he has flourished into one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.
Rangnick may be considering Haidara as a long-term replacement for Paul Pogba, who is out of contract at the end of the season and us currently 'fluctuating' in his stance of signing a new deal.
French newspaper L'Equipe, via Sport Witness, report that the midfielder acknowledges that Rangnick is 'not necessarily' his biggest fan - likely due to his less-than-intense style of play.
But it is worth noting that the France international may not be working directly with Rangnick for much longer given the interim boss will also leave his post in May and head upstairs to work for the club in a consultancy role.
