Aston Villa are reportedly ahead of Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Olympique Marseille midfield mainstay Boubacar Kamara, who will be a free agent.
According to Fichajes, Aston Villa have overtaken Atletico Madrid in the race for the signature of Olympique Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer in the summer.
Kamara came through the ranks at Marseille and made his breakthrough into the first team in 2017 as a centre-back. However, over the years, he has morphed himself into one of the top defensive midfielders in Ligue 1, racking up 169 appearances, in which he has scored four goals and registered six assists.
A consistent performer for the Ligue 1 side, Kamara is in the final month of his contract with Marseille and has decided not to sign an extension. It has led to a lot of interest in the 22-year-old’s services, with Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid among his suitors.
Aston Villa have been putting in the hard yards in their bid to sign Kamara. The Villans are keen on signing a top defensive midfielder this summer amid question marks over the future of Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian will be entering the final year of his contract this summer and has been linked with a move to AS Roma.
Furthermore, with Marvelous Nakamba having had injury problems, manager Steven Gerrard is keen on bringing in another No. 6, with Kamara emerging as a top target. They have held talks over a move for the 22-year-old Frenchman, but Atletico Madrid stood in the way as rivals in their pursuit.
Like Villa, Atletico Madrid, too, are interested in signing a player capable of playing in the pivot position in the centre of the park. Geoffrey Kondogbia has done a good job in the position but with Hector Herrera departing, there is room for adding more depth in the midfield department for Diego Simeone, making Kamara a viable target.
However, as per the report, Aston Villa have pulled ahead in the race for the Marseille mainstay. It is claimed that the Villans have already presented him with a proposal, and the prospect of playing in the Premier League could appeal to Kamara as he considers his next career move.
Having already completed the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho, adding Kamara on a free transfer would represent a very good start to the summer for Gerrard and Aston Villa.