Latest developments
- Newcastle United are eyeing Hakon Arnar Haraldsson of Lille.
- But Manchester United appear intent on hijacking the deal.
- The Icelandic midfielder has six goal involvements this season.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): Local and national input
Newcastle looked set to sign Iceland international Hakon Arnar Haraldsson from Lille, only for Man Utd to throw a spanner in the works and join the race.
The Magpies' interest was broken last week in the Daily Mail, while Newcastle news site Coming Home Newcastle has reported Man Utd's interest. Local and national interest gives this story credibility.
Value (3/5): Red Devils driving price up?
With Haraldsson arriving from FC Copenhagen for around £12.5 million in 2023 and under contract until 2028, Lille will be expecting to turn a profit on the 21-year-old, who has scored in the UEFA Champions League this season.
His market value is below that price, so Ruben Amorim would have to pay over the odds to usurp the competition, as would Eddie Howe.
Suitability (4/5): Plays like Modric
A technically-gifted player who plays primarily as an attacking-midfielder, Haraldsson has been compared to Luka Modric for his ability on the ball.
That extra bit of control would be a huge asset for Man Utd, who can go missing in the middle of the park at very inconvenient times. The same could also be said for Newcastle though, so there's little separating the Magpies from the Red Devils in this regard.
Upgrade? (3/5): More room in Manchester?
Newcastle don't have an official attacking midfielder in their squad, though Joelinton and Sandro Tonali are both terrific going forward.
He would likely find his first-team chances limited under Eddie Howe, but it wouldn't be any easier in Manchester, with Kobbie Mainoo being the focal muse in the middle as Amorim continues ushering in a new era.
Logic (2.5/5): Better placed at Lille?
Although all 20 Premier League clubs were declared PSR compliant for the latest financial year, the Red Devils will prefer to tread carefully, given that winning the Europa League now seems to be their only feasible route into next season's Champions League.
The logic of an Old Trafford move is also less than optimal from Haraldsson's perspective, as exchanging Champions League participation for a struggle to merely finish in the top half of the Premier League with Man Utd is very unlikely to appeal.
Newcastle, meanwhile, do have a fair shot of UCL qualification via the league, but there's still a lot of competition for a hallowed top-four spot, so while the Magpies have a superior pull factor in this area, it's not much of an advantage over Man Utd.
Whisper+ verdict: 15.5/25
Not a perfect fit at Man Utd, but there is enough authority in this rumour for it to be entertained.
