Newcastle United are ready to gazump Liverpool in their attempts to sign Monaco star Lamine Camara, according to TEAMtalk.
The Magpies have had a disappointing season and are set to miss out on European football for next season, but Eddie Howe is already planning to rebuild his squad as a result of the struggles, with midfield identified as a key area for the upcoming transfer window.
But with major question marks over the future of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, Newcastle are ready to go big to ensure they get their first-choice targets through the door ahead of the competition.
Newcastle Want Lamine Camara
Lamine Camara for Monaco
Camara, who has been described as a 'beast', has emerged as one of the top young central midfielders in Europe in recent times after his performances for Monaco.
The highly-rated Senegal international has started to attract the interest of some of Europe's top clubs, but Newcastle are understood to be ready to enter the race in strong fashion to push their way to the front of the queue, as they look to bolster Howe's squad for next season.
Monaco are well aware of the interest, and have put a £39m price tag on his head ahead of the upcoming window, and Newcastle are understood to be willing to pay that to bring him in, as they believe he can shine as both a number six and a number eight.
Newcastle scouts have made regular trips to Monaco to watch the 22-year-old, and they are now showing the strongest interest in acquiring his services during the transfer window. While a deal isn't completely linked to the future of Sandro Tonali, the club are aware he could be on the move this summer and Camara would be an excellent replacement.
The player is 'highly likely' to move to the Premier League this summer, viewing it as a great destination to continue his development, and Newcastle are ready to go all-out to get a deal done.
Camara Would Be Ideal Newcastle Signing
Lamine Camara celebrating for Monaco
Newcastle have made a habit of bringing in top young talents from around Europe and helping them to develop into first-team stars who are key to the club's future, and Camara would fit that bill.
The likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Alexander Isak, and Sven Botman have all benefited from moves to St James' Park in recent years, but the arrival of Camara ahead of competition from the likes of Liverpool would be huge.
Liverpool are known to be keen on the Senegal star, but he may not be playing a first-choice option at Anfield, which would likely go in favour of the Magpies if it came down to a straight choice between the two clubs. Newcastle know how to get a deal done, and this is one to watch in the coming weeks.
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