Newcastle United are on the brink of adding Monaco midfielder Aladji Bamba to their squad in a £30m deal, with the transfer set to be completed before Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Gateshead. The 19-year-old, described as a defensive-minded No 6 who can also play as a No 8, is viewed as the long-term successor to Sandro Tonali in a summer overhaul that has already seen the club sign four players with an average age of 19.5. Insiders have stressed the move is not related to Bruno Guimaraes’ future, but Bamba is expected to join the squad for the club’s training camp in La Manga next month. “We believe we’re making some intelligent bets – but we know there needs to be a balance,” a source said, acknowledging that not all new arrivals will be as young. Newcastle have been working on four or five deals simultaneously from a broad list of targets, and despite missing out on Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi to Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively, the club quickly pivoted to Bamba, who was “on the radar from day one”. A first-choice goalkeeper remains a priority, along with full-back and right-sided forward additions, as the Magpies aim to bring in another “three or four” players before the window closes.
Across the Premier League, Manchester United are also plotting midfield reinforcements after missing out on Alex Scott. The Red Devils have drawn up a three-man shortlist of targets, though the identities of the players have not been disclosed. The setback has forced United to accelerate their search for a new midfielder, with the club expected to move quickly in the final weeks of the transfer window. Both Newcastle and Manchester United face a race against time to complete their business, with the season looming and key positions still to be filled.
“Newcastle close to £30m Aladji Bamba signing; Man Utd shortlist midfielders after Alex Scott blow.”
