Newcastle have started work on signing £43m star

Newcastle United are closing in on a deal for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, though the 22-year-old’s participation with Spain at the World Cup means closing the deal could be a protracted process.

That’s frustrating, and something that Eddie Howe and technical director Ross Wilson would have hoped to avoid after last summer’s disorganised strategy. Still, Munoz is worth the chase, and all the pointers say he will sign for the St. James’ Park side.

Though the expectation is that Munoz will sign as Anthony Gordon‘s replacement now that the Three Lions winger has left for Barcelona, but as Newcastle work toward higher ground, they have been rocked once again by the news that Sandro Tonali is exploring a move away from Tyneside.

Newcastle have already started work on Tonali replacement

Over the past three years, Tonali has developed into one of the best centre-midfielders in Europe at Newcastle. But he seems to have ran out of fuel within Howe’s Toon system, now pining for the exit.

Frustrating is the fact that he has engaged in positive talks with Tottenham, who also lack European football and who have recorded back-to-back 17th-place finishes in the Premier League.

It doesn’t seem likely that skipper Bruno Guimaraes will be allowed to leave this summer, but Newcastle will surely need to sign a top midfield replacement for Tonali, who has been valued at £85m by the Magpies.

Well, according to The Athletic, Newcastle have already started work on Lamine Camara, with the 22-year-old Monaco midfielder the subject of a scouting operation from Howe’s analysts.

Newcastle have previously been credited as the frontrunners in the race to sign the £43m-rated Senegal star, though Aston Villa and Chelsea are also contenders for his signature.

Why Camara can be Newcastle’s dream Tonali replacement

Camara is one of the most exciting up-and-coming midfielders in Europe, with analyst Ben Mattinson remarking that he “has an insane engine, covering large amounts of ground“.

More than just a workhorse, Camara is strong and physical and confident on the ball. He is one of tidiest passers in Ligue 1, creating chances with consistency and intelligently building up play through working the right areas.

Is he as elegant as Tonali? No, probably not. But then, that’s a tall order for any midfielder, and Camara would still play into the system that Howe wants to revive at St. James’ Park.

In truth, there’s a case to be made that Camara would provide Newcastle with everything Tonali offers and more, should he manage to maintain his form when moving across the English Channel.

His combative edge and unrelenting intensity across the engine room are attributes that would allow the likes of Guimaraes to operate more fluidly, rekindling the playmaking set-up that has slipped somewhat this season.

As Newcastle reboot the system this summer, it’s important that Howe and Wilson hit each nail on the head. Luckily, they do appear to have learned from last year’s issues, and are willing to part with those who are not fully committed to the cause – for a fee that reflects their worth, of course.

Camara can be that player, tough and tenacious in the middle of the park. There is a reason that so many outfits are after him, with the strength and style to tick all the boxes ahead of a potential move to the Premier League.

Newcastle need to get this one done. If they pull it off along with Munoz, Gordon and Tonali will have been effectively replaced with plenty of money still in the bank.