Incoming Bamba has high potential

Newcastle United's move for Aladji Bamba underlines a marked shift in transfer strategy for the Magpies. It is certainly hard to imagine the club spending £55m on a 29-year-old again like they did when they signed forward Yoane Wissa from Brentford last summer. Instead, Newcastle have targeted players aged 20 and under on the continent this time around. Bamba, like Sean Steur, Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure, will need time to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League - and it is worth stressing the 20-year-old Frenchman has made only 12 competitive starts for Monaco. But Newcastle have to take calculated risks this summer before such talents become potentially out of reach. Just like Newcastle's £23m move for Steur, negotiations were carried out discreetly by all parties involved. News that an agreement had been reached arrived only when Bamba was on his way to Tyneside. Further reinforcements are needed, but Newcastle are set to complete their fourth signing of the summer. By contrast, at this stage of a particularly turbulent window a year ago, the club had brought in only Anthony Elanga. Despite the imminent new midfield signing, one fan, Dave, told BBC Radio Newcastle he is frustrated by a perceived lack of incoming transfers at St James' Park, arguing that is it the defence and goalkeeping department that make him "concerned about next season". Watch the clip below for more of the chat on BBC Radio Newcastle... Explore all Newcastle content on BBC Sounds and subscribe to stay up to date