Transfer news: Newcastle sign Bamba from Monaco, Summerville joins Al-Hilal | Newcastle United
Newcastle have made Aladji Bamba their fourth signing of the summer after the 20-year-old completed a £34m move from Monaco.
“I am very happy to be here,” said Bamba. “I was very happy when I heard that Newcastle wanted to sign me, I know the history of the club and I have 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 summer signing aged 20 or under. The young Frenchman, who made 25 appearances for Monaco last season, has excelled in Ligue 1 and the Champions League – joining former Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen (20), former Hoffenheim midfielder Bazoumana Touré (also 20) and Ajax midfielder Sean Steur (18). As a natural No.6, Bamba is 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 for a fee, broadly, between £20m and £40m and who have high resale potential. The idea is to help ensure the club, which recently negotiated a three-year settlement with Uefa after breaching European spending rules, remains on the right side of football club investment rules.
“Aladji adds a lot of quality to our midfielders who have a lot of potential to grow,” said Eddie Howe, the Newcastle coach. “His development since breaking out in Monaco has been fantastic and it’s something we believe we can build on.”
Howe hopes that Bruno Guimarães will be at Newcastle to ease Bamba’s adaptation to life in the Premier League. The Brazilian midfielder is wanted by Arsenal and seems keen to join Mikel Arteta’s side. However, the price is a stumbling block. Newcastle’s reluctance to sell their captain means they have made it known through intermediaries that they will reject any bid in the region of £70m for the player, who will turn 29 in November.
Arsenal have yet to make a formal offer and whether they are prepared to exceed £75m remains to be seen. Much may depend on whether Guimarães returns to Newcastle from a holiday in Brazil, as planned, next week before joining his teammates at a training camp in La Manga in southern Spain.
Summerville sign Al-Hilal for £60m
Crysencio Summerville has left West Ham to join Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, the Hammers have said.
The Dutch midfielder joined West Ham from Leeds two years ago but was unable to prevent relegation from the Championship last season. After a previous link 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 money – an initial £55m, rising to £60m with possible add-ons.
Hull City Signed Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita to a two-year contract, with a club option for another year. The 31-year-old, who has 40 caps for his country, joined the club on a free transfer after leaving Portugal’s Sporting.
Everton confirmed the departure of midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, who is leaving after playing 236 games on two separate occasions. Gueye’s contract ended on June 30 and the negotiations to extend it have been futile. He is expected to sign a one-year contract with Saudi club Al-Diriyah later.
“Everyone at Everton is very grateful for Gana’s dedication on the pitch throughout his two seasons at the club,” said club manager David Moyes. His commitment to the team over the years has been exceptional. “
