Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Thu 12 March 2026 15:31, UK

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Manchester United have been handed a green light to make an approach for Sandro Tonali’s services as Newcastle United eye Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.

Tonali has continued to be a key player for Eddie Howe this season as Newcastle chase European qualification, with starts in 25 of their 29 Premier League games.

His standout performances have seen him linked with a move back to Italy, but it emerged on Deadline Day of the January window that Arsenal were pursuing a shock deal for Tonali after his agent offered them a deal.

Their interest was quickly rebuffed by Newcastle, but it has left questions around his long-term future at St James’ Park, with Man United now being heavily linked to his signature ahead of the summer.

Newcastle’s transfer plans are beginning to take shape for the upcoming window, and Man United could well have been handed an incentive to sign the Italy international after a new development.

Newcastle tracking Monaco star Lamine Camara

According to a new report from The i, Newcastle have “extensively” scouted Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara in the last few months as he shines for the Ligue 1 side.

The 22-year-old is believed to fit the right profile of an Eddie Howe midfielder, and the Magpies are targeting midfield additions amid doubts around the future of Tonali and Joe Willock.

Camara is a box-to-box midfielder who has registered three assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for Monaco this season.

He is a fully-fledged international with 37 caps for Senegal, and played 77 minutes in their recent Africa Cup of Nations final triumph over Morocco.

Camara is statistically among the best Ligue 1 players in his position for big chances created, duels won, interceptions and ball recoveries, and would undoubtedly be a shrewd signing for Newcastle this summer.

Newcastle could be forced to sell Tonali if they miss out on Champions League qualification

Links to Camara are set to heighten rumours around a potential summer exit for Tonali, especially given Newcastle’s struggles in the Premier League this season.

Howe’s side currently occupies 12th place in the English top flight, and their hopes of finishing in the top five look to be all but diminished, with nine points now between them and the Champions League spots.

Sources have told Football Insider that Tonali’s Newcastle future hinges on qualifying for the Champions League, as financial concerns could force the club to let him go this summer if they fail to do so.

Man United will surely be on red alert for his services now that it has been revealed that Newcastle are tracking midfield alternatives, but must also make sure that they seal a top-five place themselves this season.