Newcastle United may well be in pole position to sign a coveted star ahead of Premier League rivals Sunderland, Liverpool and Chelsea for an interesting reason, claims one report.
Newcastle set for intriguing summer after underwhelming campaign
The mood around St James' Park has rarely felt more uncertain in the years since the Saudi consortium transformed the club's fortunes.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe
The Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland in March landed hard on a fanbase that has come to expect far more, and when CEO David Hopkinson declined twice to back Eddie Howe's future, the non-endorsement was loud enough to hear across Tyneside.
Reports today suggest that Howe could walk away from Newcastle if he doesn't feel backed by the hierarchy, with the club facing a summer of significant upheaval already.
Sandro Tonali is attracting interest from Man United, Man City, Real Madrid and Arsenal, with Newcastle reportedly demanding over £100m for the Italy international.
Winger Anthony Gordon is apparently coveted by Arsenal and Liverpool at a similarly eye-watering valuation, while Tino Livramento, who has shown no inclination to extend his contract, could be available for around £60m after Arsenal moved to the front of the queue for his signature.
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Bruno Guimaraes also continues to attract admiring glances from Man United and Barcelona despite Newcastle's desire to retain him.
It is an almost unimaginable position for a club that has been competing in the Champions League, and considered by many as one of the most exciting projects in English football.
Against that backdrop, the club's recruitment team have been working to identify players capable of replacing what they stand to lose, and one name has emerged as a genuine priority.
Newcastle could be in pole position to sign Monaco star Lamine Camara
As per TEAMtalk this evening, Newcastle have intensified their pursuit of AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, with the 22-year-old Senegalese international valued at between £55m-£64m.
lamine-camara-as-monaco
Camara arrived at Monaco from Metz in July 2024 for just £12.5m and has been one of Ligue 1's most compelling performers since.
Physically imposing and composed under pressure, he wins duels, progresses the ball efficiently and contributes from set-pieces — a combination that has drawn the attention of clubs well beyond the French principality.
His contract runs until June 2029, giving Monaco considerable leverage in talks.
Chelsea have been extensive admirers and are monitoring him as a source of energy and physicality for their midfield. Liverpool also view his defensive bite and dynamic movement as a natural fit for their system, while Sunderland are also big admirers.
Newcastle, however, have something the others may not.
lamine-camara-as-monaco
TEAMtalk indicate that a move to a Europa League-level club is considered a more realistic first step for Camara before he transitions to the very top tier of English football.
Newcastle, who featured in the Champions League in two of the last three campaigns but are currently perceived as sitting just below the Premier League's elite, represent precisely that type of stepping stone, they say.
As such, TT report that is why Newcastle are 'more likely' than their rivals to sign Camara.
If Tonali departs and leaves a significant void in central midfield, the logic strengthens further.
Spanish clubs have also registered serious interest, and PSG have taken a look.
However, the suggestion that Newcastle could yet pip both Chelsea and Liverpool for Camara's signature represents one of the more positive transfer stories of what promises to be an extraordinary summer on Tyneside — even if it is for an unflattering reason.
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