Bamba & Guimaraes hybrid: Newcastle in formal talks to sign £43m midfielder
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Published Jul 25, 2026, 7:15 AM GMT+1
Angus is an experienced football writer who has been in the industry since graduating from Southampton Solent University in 2022.
Having previously scribbled down thoughts on the indie rock scene for OurSoundMusic, and led VAVEL’s Brighton & Hove Albion department, Angus has settled in an analytical reporting role with Football FanCast, where he has produced thousands of articles.
After graduating from the academy of Snack Media (now Valnet), Angus is one of FFC’s longest-serving writers, having since joined the opinions and features team.
The lion’s share of his expertise has centred on Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, though an ever-changing football landscape has seen him cover any number of Premier League teams over the years.
Things are going to look a little different at Newcastle United next season, but maybe it will be for the better.
Eddie Howe has been under the cosh for a while now, but this is a manager who delivered the Carabao Cup to Tyneside in 2025, sandwiching that triumph between qualification into two Champions League campaigns.
Newcastle Average Age of Squad under Howe
Season
Av. Age
Division Rank
25/26
26.4
6th
24/25
27.1
4th
23/24
26.9
3rd
22/23
27.0
5th
21/22
27.4
5th
Under Howe, Newcastle have never had a young squad, but this summer is changing that, with PIF recognising the errors of their ways and pivoting to a youth-filled strategy that could secure the Magpies' place at the top of the Premier League in the coming years.
The latest to fall into that category would be Aladji Bamba, who has agreed to join Newcastle from Monaco in a move rising to £35.5m.
What Bamba brings to Newcastle
Bamba is only 20 years old, and he only started ten times in Ligue 1 last season, but there's no question that Newcastle have landed an exciting midfield talent who could become a superstar in the Premier League.
REUTERS/Manon Cruz
Hailed as a "ball-winning monster" by Newcastle writer Bradley Robson, the young prospect didn't play much last season, but he certainly impressed, completing 70% of his dribbles in Ligue 1 while winning 4.6 duels and 1.8 tackles per game.
He is not a playmaker, not as his defining role, but Bamba does have several edges to his skillset, and there's a morbid curiosity developing as to whether he has been signed with the skipper's departure in mind.
League Form Comparison (2025/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Bamba
Guimaraes
Matches (starts)
18 (10)
29 (27)
Goals + Assists
0 + 2
9 + 5
Touches*
37.8
70.1
Accurate passes*
23.4 (82%)
43.1 (86%)
Big chances created
4
7
Key passes*
0.7
1.6
Possession lost*
7.3
14.0
Succ. dribbles*
0.8 (70%)
0.6 (38%)
Ball recoveries*
2.8
4.7
Tackles + interceptions*
2.2
2.6
Clearances*
0.8
1.2
Duels won*
4.6 (55%)
5.8 (50%)
Guimaraes, 28, is being coveted by Premier League champions Arsenal, who are set to make a fresh £70m offer for the Brazilian. Newcastle will reject it, but the Gunners will return.
With Sandro Tonali already sold to Tottenham for £100m, a marker has been set. Will Arsenal draw close to it? In any case, Newcastle cannot allow a repeat of last summer, and must act to replace their shifting midfield pieces.
Newcastle in talks to sign Bamba-Guimaraes hybrid
The sight of £23m teenager Sean Steur and Bamba side by side could become a familiar one for Newcastle in the years to come, but it would be a risk to expect them to emulate the likes of Guimaraes and Tonali from the get-go.
However, Lamine Camara has more experience under his belt, and as per TEAMtalk, Newcastle have used their negotiations for Bamba to explore a deal to sign the 22-year-old Monaco midfielder.
Camara has been on Howe's shortlist for many months now, and while they had been neck-and-neck with Aston Villa, their rivals have focused their attention elsewhere, leaving the Toon clear to complete another statement signing, which could come in at around £43m.
According to analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson, Camara "has an insane engine, covering large amounts of ground". It's a unique way of playing, for he is not only a tireless ball winner, but a progressive player too, having created eight big chances in Ligue 1 last year.
The Senegal international would be a fantastic signing for Howe's Newcastle. He has elegance and a natural progressiveness on the ball while plating himself with steel in his defensive work. He is a combative midfielder, yes, but he is also a "complete midfielder", says Mattinson, encompassing all the various parts.
In this, he could match Bamba in his strong defensive spirit next season, demonstrating strength and physicality needed to withstand the pressure of the Premier League. But he can also direct traffic like Guimaraes, flicking the ball this way and that with deft movements.
Last season in France, he ranked among the top 6% of positional peers for crosses completed, the top 11% for chances created and the top 14% for long balls completed per 90.
Bamba is going to be a work in progress at St. James' Park, but Camara already has the roundedness required to make a first-class contribution, also completing 60% of his dribbles and making so many defensive contributions across the campaign.
Bamba brings a tough-tackling edge, but Newcastle will face any number of perils if Guimaraes completes his desired transfer to Arsenal. At least with Camara, Howe could land another talented all-action star.
1 week ago
9
REUTERS/Manon Cruz
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