Newcastle United have reached an agreement with Monaco to sign defensive midfielder Aladji Bamba as part of their ongoing summer transfer activity. The 20-year-old French player, who made his senior debut in August 2025, was expected to arrive on Tyneside to undergo a medical examination, with the transfer fee reported to potentially reach £34 million.

Bamba is being brought in to help fill the gap left by the departure of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur last month for a reported £100 million. Tonali, 26, had been a key figure in Newcastle’s midfield before his high-profile exit.

Newcastle have faced a challenging transfer window so far, also having sold England forward Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in a £69.3 million deal last month. The departures have prompted manager Eddie Howe to focus on acquiring young talent as he looks to rebuild the squad.

Adding to the uncertainty, Arsenal have expressed interest in Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes. The Premier League club has reportedly opened direct negotiations for the Brazil international midfielder, who is 28 years old. Newcastle are understood to be holding out for a minimum of £70 million for Guimaraes.

In addition to Bamba, Newcastle have moved to bolster their squad with the signings of Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure, and Ajax midfielder Sean Steur. These acquisitions suggest a strategic emphasis on nurturing promising players amid a summer of significant changes for the club.