Newcastle United face increasing uncertainty in their summer transfer plans as European qualification remains in doubt, which means they will need to craft a shortlist featuring targets for all sorts of budgets and prospects.
Following the defeat to Sunderland before the break, Newcastle are virtually outside of the Champions League race, while they risk missing out on European football altogether.
That scenario would directly impact their ability to compete for top targets, which was already the case
with the team playing UCL football in past windows.
Football Insider previously reported that Newcastle will need to qualify for the Champions League—at the very laest—to have any realistic chance of signing AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit ahead of a plethora of European giants competing for him, and now, Football Insider’s Oliver Walton has outlined an alternative option and urged the Magpies to move for a Ligue 1 youngster instead of Smit.
“Newcastle United stand no chance of signing Kees Smit and so must focus on making a move for Monaco star Lamine Camara this summer,” Walton wrote.
Smit has attracted interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal after registering four goals and seven assists in 39 appearances this season. His senior Netherlands call-up has further strengthened his profile, and it’s a dream for NUFC to even think about his signing.
Walton reiterated the Champions League requirement tied to Smit, and urged Newcastle to move on before it’s too late. In doing so, he thinks the Magpies should target Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.
“Newcastle must make the Champions League to land Smit ahead of those teams,” Walton wrote. “Camara is of a very similar mould to Smit, in that he is a good passer of the ball and likes to drive forward into attacking spaces. Monaco will accept offers for Camara this summer amid interest from the Magpies and Man United.”
Camara, a Senegal international, has delivered consistent Ligue 1 performances this season and is viewed as more attainable than Smit given the competition.
“Camara is not quite as in-demand as Smit, and so Newcastle clearly have a better chance of landing the Senegal international than they do the Dutchman,” Walton wrote.
With Manchester United also tracking Walton, with uncertainty surrounding the Red Devils’ midfield and a potential transfer for Bruno or Sandro Tonali in the realm of possibility, Newcastle would need to accelerate any move if they wish to secure a deal.
