Newcastle United’s midfield rebuild may not end with the arrival of Monaco youngster Aladji Bamba, with the Magpies continuing to explore further additions from the same club.
Bamba completed a move to Tyneside worth around €40 million (£34 million), and now TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey is reporting that Newcastle used those negotiations with the Ligue 1 club to ask about Senegal international Lamine Camara, who has been heavily linked to the Magpies during the first half of the summer transfer window.
“TEAMtalk can also divulge that Newcastle used discussions with Monaco to explore the availability of another highly-rated midfielder, Lamine Camara, and continue to hold a strong interest in the Senegal international,” Bailey reported. “However, sources insist it was Bamba who was always the priority for sporting director Ross Wilson and the club’s recruitment department.”
Camara, 22, has been tracked by Newcastle for several months and would offer a much more established option in midfield than Bamba, who made only 10 Ligue 1 starts last season.
The Senegal midfielder has developed a reputation as an ever-active box-to-box man capable of contributing defensively while also progressing with the ball and creating chances higher up the pitch. Reports have valued him at around £43 million.
TEAMtalk stressed that Bamba’s arrival is part of Newcastle’s recruitment plans without regard for what happens to Bruno Guimaraes amid the ongoing speculation about his potential transfer to Arsenal.
“Sources have stressed to us that Bamba’s arrival should not be viewed as a replacement for Bruno Guimaraes,” Bailey reported. “The Brazilian remains a key figure in Eddie Howe’s plans, with Newcastle maintaining throughout the summer that strengthening midfield was always part of their recruitment strategy regardless of Guimaraes’ future.”
That makes sense, considering fellow midfielder Sandro Tonali has already left for Tottenham, and Joe Willock is in talks over a move to Besiktas.
Newcastle’s admiration for Camara has been there for months, and it seems to remain very alive, leaving open the possibility of another major midfield signing, let alone if Bruno ends up going to London.
