Rangnick's first transfer 'all but agreed' - as long as they pay release clause

Ralf Rangnick is closing in on his first signing as Manchester United boss with RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara on his radar.

The midfielder made the move from Salzburg to Leipzig two years ago, under Rangnick's watchful eye.

A move to Manchester was tipped to take place when Rangnick arrived, but it appeared more likely that the Red Devils would negotiate the transfer with the Bundesliga side in the summer, once Haidara's release clause came into play.

But Leipzig have hinted that, should they pay the £32m in January, they would be prepared to let him go midseason.

Sources in Germany claim that Rangnick has already held discussions with Haidara's agent Volker Struth and a deal is close, reports The Sun.

The Leipzig star is due to jet off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, but that is not set to complicate any deal.

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Haidara has confessed to growing up as a United fan, when he was still with Academy Bamako in Mali.

He has played at the top level with Leipzig, taking part in their current Champions League campaign, where he has been used as a defensive midfielder.

His first goal for the German side came in the crucial 3-2 win over United last season in a crunch European clash.

United were linked with a central midfielder in the summer but ultimately failed to bring anyone in.

West Ham's Declan Rice and Edouardo Camavinga, who eventually joined Real Madrid, were two of the names touted as potential targets.

Haidara will provide competition for the likes of Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic.

Rangnick, who addressed the media for the first time on Friday, remained coy on the prospect of January arrivals.

The German has a phenomenal record when it comes to recruitment but has labelled midseason arrivals as "unsustainable."

He said: "We haven't spoken about new players and it's not the time to speak about that. Now it's time to get to know the current squad in detail.

"The squad is definitely not too small, there are certainly enough players within the squad. Maybe at Christmas, after Christmas, there might be time to talk about transfers, but from my experience, winter transfers are difficult and not sustainable.

"With the quality of the players we have here, it would in theory only make sense to sign players who give you that little bit of extra quality."

Erling Haaland, another man signed by Rangnick during his spell at Red Bull, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester.

Rangnick though has dismissed suggestions he would receive a bonus for tempting the Norwegian to Old Trafford.