Barcelona and Bayern Munich have entered the race to secure the free transfer signing of Boubacar Kamara in 2022, who is also a target for Newcastle United.
According to a report from Foot Mercato, Barcelona could be set for a transfer battle with Bayern Munich, Newcastle United and several other clubs for the signing of Olympique Marseille midfield mainstay Boubacar Kamara.
The 22-year-old is a product of Marseille’s youth academy and made his first-team breakthrough in September 2017 under then-manager Rudi Garcia, aged just 17. Since then, Kamara has grown leaps and bounds, establishing himself as one of the most reliable young defensive midfielders in the French top-flight.
To date, Kamara has made 137 appearances for Marseille, bagging four goals and five assists in the process. While he is held in high regard within the club, the Frenchman could be gearing up to part ways with them at the end of the ongoing campaign. That is because Kamara’s contract runs out at the end of the season, and he is believed to have turned down as many as four proposals for a renewal.
The defensive midfielder’s situation at Stade Velodrome has alerted several clubs across Europe, with Newcastle United keeping close tabs on the developments. The Magpies have held a long-standing interest in Kamara and were linked with a swoop for him in the summer as well, but a move never materialised.
However, backed by uber-rich owners, they are ready to go after the 22-year-old again. In fact, reports last month even indicated that they had submitted a contract offer for the Frenchman. But, they will now have to contend with competition from two of the biggest clubs in the world in Barcelona and Bayern Munich, for Kamara’s signing.
Barcelona’s interest in the Marseille starlet makes a lot of sense, considering that captain Sergio Busquets is in the final stages of his career and will eventually need to be phased out of the starting XI. Signing Kamara on a free transfer at the end of the season would allow the Catalans to rotate Busquets more regularly, all the while grooming the youngster to take over from the skipper in a year or two at the most.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, lack a proper alternative for their midfield lynchpin Joshua Kimmich. Marc Roca was signed last year but has not found favour in Bavaria and is expected to be on his way out shortly. Interestingly, Barcelona are among the clubs that have been offered a chance to sign the Spaniard.
Kamara could be viewed as cover and competition for Kimmich in midfield, while his ability to play in central defence means that he could also serve as a replacement for Niklas Sule, whose contract runs out at the end of the season. Apart from Newcastle, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, even Juventus are tracking the 22-year-old Frenchman.
With so many top clubs after his signing, the ball firmly lies in Kamara’s court. Only time will tell which club he chooses to join when his contract with Marseille runs down.
