Newcastle in formal talks to sign £43m midfielder

Things will look a little different for Newcastle United next season, but maybe for the better.

Eddie Howe has been under the cosh for a long time, but this is the manager who brought the Carabao Cup to Tyneside in 2025, sandwiching victory between qualifying for two Champions League campaigns.

Under Howe, Newcastle have never had a young squad, but this summer is changing that, with the PIF seeing the errors of their ways and looking at a youth-filled strategy that could secure the Magpies’ place at the top of the Premier League for years to come.

The latest to enter this category will be Aladji Bamba, who has agreed to join Newcastle from Monaco in a move up to £35.5m.

Which brings Bamba to Newcastle

Bamba is only 20-years-old, and made just 10 Ligue 1 starts last season, but there is no doubt that Newcastle have landed an exciting midfield talent who could be a star in the Premier League.

Hailed as a “ball-winning beast” by Newcastle writer Bradley Robson, the young prospect didn’t play much last season, but he certainly impressed, completing 70% of his dribbles in Ligue 1 while winning 4.6 duels and 1.8 tackles per game.

He is not a playmaker, not as his defining role, but Bamba has several ends to his skill set, and there is growing curiosity as to whether he was signed with the captain’s departure in mind.

Guimaraes, 28, is being approached by Premier League champions Arsenal, who are keen to make a new £70m bid for the Brazilian. Newcastle will refuse, but the Gunners will come back.

With Sandro Tonali already sold to Tottenham for £100m, the marker has been set. Will Arsenal approach him? Either way, Newcastle cannot afford a repeat of last summer, and must act to replace their replacement midfield pieces.

Newcastle are in talks to sign the Bamba-Guimaraes hybrid

The sight of £23m youngsters Sean Steur and Bamba together could become the norm at Newcastle in the coming years, but it would be dangerous to expect them to emulate the likes of Guimaraes and Tonali from the start.

However, Lamine Camara has more experience under his belt, and according to TEAMtalk, Newcastle have used their talks with Bamba to explore a deal to sign the 22-year-old Monaco midfielder.

Camara has been on Howe’s shortlist for months now, and while they are in contention with Aston Villa, their rivals are focusing elsewhere, leaving the Toon clear to complete another statement signing, which could come in at around £43m.

According to Como analyst and scout Ben Mattinson, the Camara has “a crazy engine, which covers a lot of space”. It is a different way of playing, because he is not only a tireless footballer, but also a player who is improving, as he created eight great chances in Ligue 1 last year.

The Senegalese player will be a good signing for Howe’s Newcastle. He has a natural flair and development on the ball while being ironclad in his defensive work. He’s a playing midfielder, yes, but he’s also “a complete midfielder”, says Mattinson, covering all the different parts.

This time, he could match Bamba in his strong defensive spirit next season, showing the strength and physicality needed to withstand the pressure of the Premier League. But he can also direct traffic like Guimaraes, flicking the ball around with deft movements.

Last season in France, he ranked in the top 6% of his peers for crosses completed, top 11% for chances created and top 14% for long balls completed out of 90.

Bamba will be a work in progress in St. James’ Park, but Camara already has the roundness needed to make a high-quality contribution, completing 60% of his dribbles and making many defensive contributions throughout the campaign.

Bamba brings a tough edge, but Newcastle will face any number of risks if Guimaraes completes his coveted transfer to Arsenal. At least with Camara, Howe can get himself another talented all-around star.