Newcastle United have agreed a deal worth up to £34m to sign Monaco midfielder Aladji Bamba, with the 20-year-old Frenchman set to travel to Tyneside on Thursday for a medical before signing a long-term contract. The move forms part of Newcastle's efforts to strengthen their midfield after selling Sandro Tonali to Tottenham last month, with the club keen to bring in a second young midfield addition following the signing of 18-year-old Sean Steur from Ajax.

Bamba only made his senior debut in August 2025 but has already impressed statistically, ranking among the top five Ligue 1 midfielders last season (among those who played at least 500 minutes) for duels won, tackles, successful take-ons and aerial duels won. He has represented France at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level. Newcastle had also targeted Freiburg's Johan Manzambi, but he opted to join Aston Villa last week instead.