Newcastle: Two ‘key targets’ revealed with Howe eyeing Leipzig duo ahead of summer ‘challenge’

Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing RB Leipzig midfielders Amadou Haidara and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Magpies are a single point away from securing a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Eddie Howe’s side have been outstanding this term and are way ahead of schedule having been taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October 2021.

With a return to the Champions League on the horizon, Newcastle will need to invest in their playing squad when the summer transfer window opens.

A new creative midfielder is thought to be on the agenda for Howe with Leicester City’s James Maddison being linked with a move to St James’ Park.

Szoboszlai definitely fits the bill for what Howe is reportedly looking for, though a more defensive-minded midfield player is also believed to be a top priority.

And this is where the Hungarian international’s Leipzig teammate, Haidara, comes into things.

Haidara, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past, joined the German outfit from their sister club, RB Salzburg for €19million in January 2021.

In fact, the Mali midfielder was joined by Szoboszlai exactly two years later when he joined from the same team for €22m.

Leipzig stand to make a hefty profit on both players should they opt to sell them in the summer, which comes as no surprise given their incredible track record in recruitment.

Multiple reports have suggested that Newcastle want to sign Szoboszlai, with Haidara being thrown into the mix by journalist Dean Jones.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones said the Leipzig pair are “key targets” for the Premier League club.

“These two players are ones that I’ve had highlighted to me as key targets,” he revealed. “They do fit profiles of positions that are looking at so they would make a lot of sense.

“The challenge is to bring in players of a certain level and that is to get in people that are like Bruno [Guimaraes], like [Sven] Botman, like [Alexander] Isak.

“And that’s where they’ve got to continue to make steps. I think Szoboszlai and Haidara do fit that bill.”

Sky Germany are one of those who say Newcastle are interested in signing Szoboszlai, who apparently has a £61m release clause in his contract.

Leipzig were victorious against Bayern Munich on Saturday, putting Borussia Dortmund in the driving seat for the Bundesliga title.

After the result, the 22-year-old Hungarian was asked about his future. He gave a fairly blunt response, simply replying: “Next question”.

Szoboszlai added fuel to the fire last week when he liked an Instagram post that said Newcastle are ‘ONE win away from Champions League qualification’.

That means it is pretty much a done deal in modern football terms.

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