Newcastle United has finalized a deal valued at up to £34 million for Monaco midfielder Aladji Bamba.

The 20-year-old French player, who debuted in a senior match in August 2025, is expected to arrive in Tyneside on Thursday to undergo a medical examination and sign a long-term contract.

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Following the sale of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham last month, Newcastle has been on the hunt for another young midfielder, having already secured the signing of 18-year-old Sean Steur from Ajax.

Another target, Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi, chose to join Aston Villa last week instead.

Among Ligue 1 midfielders who played over 500 minutes last season, Bamba stood out in several statistical categories, ranking in the top five for duels won (averaging 9.1 per game), tackles (3.6), successful take-ons (1.6), and aerial duels won (1.9).

Analysis: Bamba has high potential

This acquisition highlights a notable change in Newcastle’s transfer strategy.

It seems unlikely that the club will spend £55 million on a 29-year-old again, as they did with forward Yoane Wissa from Brentford last summer.

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Instead, Newcastle is focusing on players aged 20 and younger from abroad.

Bamba, alongside Steur, Ewen Jaouen, and Bazoumana Toure, will require time to adjust to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League.

It is notable that Bamba has made only 12 competitive starts across all competitions for Monaco.

However, Newcastle is making calculated risks this summer to secure talents before they potentially slip out of reach.

Similar to Newcastle’s £23 million acquisition of Steur, the negotiations for Bamba were conducted discreetly, with news of the finalized agreement emerging only as Bamba headed to Tyneside.

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While further reinforcements are necessary, Newcastle is poised to finalize its fourth signing of the summer.

In contrast, at this stage of a particularly tumultuous transfer window last year, the club had managed to bring in only Anthony Elanga.