Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Tue 24 March 2026 17:30, UK

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Newcastle United stand no chance of signing Kees Smit and so must focus on making a move for Monaco star Lamine Camara this summer.

Newcastle’s crushing loss to arch-rivals Sunderland on Sunday saw them drop to 12th in the Premier League, and they remain seven points off the current top five.

They are in real danger of missing out on qualifying for European football this season, with numerous transfer targets unlikely to join if their fears become reality.

Their interest in AZ Alkmaar midfielder Smit will only go further if they qualify for the UCL, due to the number of top clubs also chasing his signature.

Newcastle’s transfer plans are clearly uncertain as it stands, with Camara an obvious alternative to the Dutchman following recent links to his signature.

Newcastle must make Champions League to progress with Kees Smit interest and other moves

Smit has registered four goals and seven assists in 39 appearances for AZ this season, with that fine form seeing several top clubs, such as Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal, place him on their radar for the summer.

He received a maiden call-up for the senior Netherlands team last week as they prepare for friendlies against Norway and Ecuador, and Football Insider have revealed that Newcastle must make the Champions League to land Smit ahead of those teams.

Camara is of a very similar mould to Smit, in that he is a good passer of the ball and likes to drive forward into attacking spaces.

Football Insider have also revealed that Monaco will accept offers for Camara this summer amid interest from the Magpies and Man United.

Camara is not quite as in-demand as Smit, and so Newcastle clearly have a better chance of landing the Senegal international than they do the Dutchman.

With links to his services already made public, they need to accelerate a move ahead of the Red Devils to make sure they are not left behind in the transfer market, even if they miss out on Champions League football.

What is the latest on Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali’s respective futures?

Eddie Howe could be orchestrating an overhaul of his midfield this summer, with Camara and Smit among those linked as Guimaraes, Tonali and Joe Willock are all touted with exits.

Guimaraes and Tonali are two of the Magpies’ best players, let alone midfielders, so keeping at least one of them is imperative to their potential success next season.

Howe recently stressed that links between the former and Man United were “nonsense” and “disrespectful” to his club, so it seems like they are set to stand firm if they receive offers for his services soon.

Tonali’s future is a little more uncertain, as the Red Devils have been heavily linked to his signature and Arsenal enquired about him in the January window.

The Newcastle boss has, once again, insisted that the Italy man is “fully committed” to the cause on Tyneside, but he still seems the more likely of either star to leave.