Newcastle agree €41.5m deal for Monaco youngster Aladji Bamba

Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of one of French football's brightest young prospects. According to L'Équipe, the Premier League club have reached an agreement with AS Monaco for Aladji Bamba, the 20-year-old midfielder and France Under-20 international.

The move has come as something of a surprise. Bamba had been expected to remain with Monaco's first-team squad this season, particularly with the likes of Maghnes Akliouche, Folarin Balogun and Lamine Camara all attracting strong interest in the transfer market.

Newcastle's proposal, however, proved too good for Monaco to refuse.

The agreement between the two clubs is worth €41.5m, including €6m in performance-related add-ons, while Monaco have also secured a 15% sell-on clause as part of the deal.

Bamba is expected to undergo his medical in the coming days before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract at St James' Park.

The midfielder leaves Monaco after making 25 senior appearances, having established himself as one of the club's most exciting young talents and attracted interest from several clubs across Europe.

In the end, Newcastle won the race for his signature, with Eddie Howe understood to have played a decisive role in convincing the player to make the move.