Aladji Bamba ‘to join’ Newcastle in €42m move from Monaco | OneFootball

According to RMC, Aladji Bamba will leave Monaco for Newcastle, with the 20-year-old already in the north of England for his medical.

The deal is worth 42 million euros, including six million in bonuses, plus a 15 percent sell-on clause. Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League last season.

Monaco and the Magpies reached agreement on Tuesday after initial contact a month ago, with talks accelerating at the start of this week. Bamba was convinced by Eddie Howe’s pitch.

The head coach, who prefers a 4-3-3 and wants six midfielders, has lost Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and is preparing to see Bruno Guimaraes depart. Bamba is viewed as the missing piece in that plan.

Bamba grew in stature last season as injuries hit Monaco, ending with 25 appearances and two assists in all competitions. He also featured in Saturday’s 5-2 pre-season win over Saint-Priest.

In April he said the Premier League could suit him, though its intensity would require him to keep up, and he acknowledged he still needs to build the stamina to last the full 90 minutes.

For Monaco, operating under wage-bill controls and hit by the absence of Champions League football and falling TV income, the sale offers welcome breathing space. The club hope to complete further significant departures by 1 September, including Maghnes Akliouche, Folarin Balogun and Lamine Camara.

Source: Nice-Matin