Newcastle have made Aladji Bamba their fourth signing of the summer after the 20-year-old midfielder completed a move from Monaco for a fee that could rise to £34m.
“I’m very happy to be here,” said Bamba. “I was very excited when I heard Newcastle were interested in signing me. I know about the history of the club and I’ve visited the stadium, which is amazing. I can’t wait to be on the pitch.”
Bamba, who has agreed a five-year contract, is Newcastle’s fourth signing this summer aged 20 or under. The France youth midfielder – who made 25 appearances for Monaco last season, impressing in Ligue 1 and the Champions League – joins the former Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen (20), the former Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré (also 20) and the former Ajax midfielder Sean Steur (18). As a natural No 6, Bamba will be expected to compete with Lewis Miley for the midfield anchor role vacated when Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham for an initial £92.5m.
Newcastle’s transfer policy is to sign players aged 24 or under costing, broadly, between £20m and £40m and possessing high resale potential. The idea is to help ensure a club that have recently negotiated a three-year settlement agreement with Uefa after breaching European spending rules remain on the right side of football’s squad investment regulations.
“Aladji adds a range of qualities to our midfield with huge potential for growth,” said Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s head coach. “His development since breaking through at Monaco has been really impressive and is something we believe we can build on.”
Howe hopes Bruno Guimarães will be at Newcastle to ease Bamba’s adaptation to Premier League life. The Brazil midfielder is wanted by Arsenal and appears keen to join Mikel Arteta’s team. However, the price is a stumbling block. Newcastle’s reluctance to sell their captain dictates they have let it be known through intermediaries that they will reject any offer in the region of £70m for a player who turns 29 in November.
Arsenal have still to make a formal offer and whether they are prepared to go beyond £75m remains to be seen. Much may hinge on whether Guimarães returns to Newcastle from a holiday in Brazil, as planned, next week before joining his teammates at a training camp at La Manga in southern Spain.
Summerville seals £60m Al-Hilal move
Crysencio Summerville has left West Ham to join the Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, the Hammers have announced.
The Netherlands winger joined West Ham from Leeds two years ago but was unable to prevent their relegation to the Championship last season. After previous links with Italian club Roma, the 24-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal.
“West Ham United would like to thank Crysencio for his service and wish him well for the future,” the Hammers said in a statement. The club are yet to make any new signings this summer, but their transfer budget will be boosted by Summerville’s fee – an initial £55m, rising to a possible £60m with add-ons.
Hull City have signed the Japan midfielder Hidemasa Morita on a two-year deal, with a club option of a further year. The 31-year-old, who has won 40 caps for his country, joins as a free agent after leaving Portuguese club Sporting.
Everton have confirmed the departure of midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, who leaves after 236 appearances in two separate spells. Gueye’s contract expired on 30 June, and talks over a potential extension have come to nothing. He is expected to sign a one-year deal with Saudi club Al-Diriyah in due course.
“Everyone at Everton is hugely grateful for Gana’s dedication on the pitch throughout his two spells at the club,” said the club’s manager, David Moyes. His commitment to the club over many years was exceptional.”
