Newcastle United ‘identify’ Sandro Tonali ‘replacement’ but face stiff Liverpool transfer competition
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Newcastle United latest news: Newcastle United have reportedly identified a possible replacement for Sandro Tonali if he leaves the club this summer.
Newcastle United have identified AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara as a potential transfer target this summer - according to The I.
The Magpies didn’t sign a single player during the January transfer window, instead opting to keep their powder dry ahead of what could be a transformational summer. Newcastle United were at the centre of the biggest transfer story of the summer last year when Alexander Isak departed to join Liverpool - a move which the club have yet to really recover from.
This time around, though, there is hope that they can wipe the slate clean and with Ross Wilson in post as the club’s sporting director, that they can once again strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad. However, there are still lingering doubts over the futures of some of their key players with Tino Livramento front and centre of attention from elsewhere.
Sandro Tonali also has his suitors following a dramatic winter transfer deadline day where reports emerged, and were very quickly quashed, about him being offered to Arsenal. Tonali remained on Tyneside beyond the deadline and has played a key part in the first-team since then, but there will always be speculation surrounding his long-term future at the club and Newcastle will be desperate to take a proactive approach and get alternatives identified and signed if the worst should happen and Tonali leaves this summer.
Newcastle United ‘identify’ Sandro Tonali ‘replacement’
Those reports from the I suggest that Camara could be the man Newcastle United turn to if they cannot keep hold of the Italian international. The Magpies have reportedly scouted Camara ‘extensively’ as they look to broaden the markets they are shopping in this summer.
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The Magpies have an almost flawless record when shopping abroad under the new owners with Isak, Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and most recently Malick Thiaw all being success stories from deal hunting abroad. At just 22 years of age, Camara has plenty of time to develop into a player who can adapt to life in the Premier League and would be someone that, if they live up to their potential, could be a mainstay in the team for years to come.
Who is Lamine Camara? How would he fit Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United?
Would Camara be able to adapt to life in the Premier League? Well, the Senegalese international is not the tallest, standing at 1.73m tall, however, with just-shy of 80 Ligue 1 appearances and 15 in the Champions League under his belt, he has shown an ability to adapt to life at the top end of football.
Described by Breaking the Lines as ‘Monaco’s Senegalese midfield maestro’, those familiar with Tonali’s current song will no doubt have had their ears pricked by that statement. A composed player in possession, Camara would be more of a traditional number six than Tonali and someone who will be leaned on to regain the ball and move the ball onto those around him.
Two goals and seven assists in the league last season suggests that Camara can also be a threat going forward, whilst reported interest from Liverpool also hints at a player with huge potential and someone that clubs are confident can leave an impression in England.