Crystal Palace have reportedly joined the transfer tussle for the free singing of Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara in the summer transfer window.
According to The Sun, Newcastle United and Manchester United have been joined by Crystal Palace in the race to sign Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer in the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old Frenchman is into the final few months of his contract and has been heavily tipped with a move to Premier League after snubbing a new contract with Les Phocéens.
A product of the Marseille youth academy, Kamara first burst onto the scene in the 2018/19 campaign. Fast-forward three and a half seasons, the youngster has not only established himself as a key figure for Marseille but has also emerged as one of the hottest prospects in French football, already racking up over 150 competitive appearances for his boyhood club.
Kamara has featured in all but four of Marseille’s Ligue 1 matches this season and has been a vital cog of Jorge Sampaoli’s side, while he has also captained the team on three occasions and proved his leadership skills as he looks to take the next step in his career.
Indeed, his appealing contract situation and enormous potential have attracted plenty of interest from across the continent. Premier League outfits Newcastle United and Manchester United are already said to have opened talks with the Frenchman’s entourage. Now, Crystal Palace have also thrown their name in the hat to secure the Marseille starlet’s services.
Crystal Palace have made Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez their primary target. But his £30 million-plus valuation may prompt the Eagles to turn their attention to other avenues, such as Kamara, despite the player’s high wage demands. The ambitious Crystal Palace hierarchy is prepared to back manager Patrick Vieira in the transfer market after his successful debut stint so far.
The Arsenal legend has ushered in a more attractive style of play at Selhurst Park by bringing in a young, hungry and vibrant set of players to revamp the squad. With Cheikhou Kouyate and James McArthur out of contract at the end of the season, a new holding midfielder is high on Vieira’s wish list, making Kamara a viable target.
The Eagles, though, will face stiff competition from Manchester United, who have long admired the midfield enforcer’s talents and were heavily touted to clinch a cut-price deal in January. The Red Devils’ interest in Kamara stems from the lack of a quality defensive midfield option in their squad. Scott McTominay and Fred are more of box-to-box presences, while Nemanja Matic looks past his prime and needs to be replaced in summer.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have turned a corner in the relegation battle with a splendid run of results and are now increasingly likely to retain their Premier League status this term. They have already signed one of Ligue 1’s top midfielders in Bruno Guimaraes, and Kamara may follow in the Brazilian’s footsteps in summer. Their deep pockets mean Newcastle can offer a lucrative wage packet to convince Kamara to join their ambitious project.
Apart from the aforementioned clubs, other English top-flight outfits, including Aston Villa and West Ham United, are also keeping tabs on the 22-year-old’s situation. With the race heating up for his signature, it will be interesting to see where the Frenchman will be plying his trade next season.
