Leeds United are reportedly ready to pay the €30 million asking price for Mohamed Camara as they inch closer to signing the Red Bull Salzburg midfielder.
According to Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten, Leeds United are edging closer to securing the services of Red Bull Salzburg star Mohamed Camara in the summer transfer window after agreeing to meet his €30 million asking price as they look to quickly wrap up the transfer for the Malian international.
The Whites are looking for a top-tier defensive midfielder to replace Kalvin Phillips, who has completed his move to Manchester City. Aside from Phillips, Raphinha is also on his way out of Elland Road, with the Brazilian winger courted by Chelsea and Barcelona.
Indeed, the duo’s departures will likely boost the club’s coffers considerably. And it seems Leeds’s ambitious plans to reinvest that money to bolster all departments by making smart quality acquisitions are in full force. Three players — Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, and Marc Roca — have already come through the door at Elland Road.
Recent reports have suggested that Leeds are close to landing RB Leipzig midfielder Tyler Adams, who is viewed as a like-for-like replacement for Phillips. A deal is said to be in the pipeline for the USMNT international, but he may not be the only midfield addition between now and the end of the summer.
Jesse Marsch is looking to raid his former club Red Bull Salzburg for Mohamed Camara, making the Malian international his key midfield target. Leeds already have an agreement in place with the player, who is very keen on a reunion with his former manager at Elland Road and is intrigued by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.
Camara is regarded as a fantastic defensive midfielder, and at just 22 years old, he still has loads of untapped potential that has to be developed. Last season, the Camara made 36 appearances for Salzburg across all competitions, where he returned one goal and five assists.
He also impressed the onlookers with his man-of-the-match performance in Salzburg’s first-leg UEFA Champions League draw against Bayern Munich in the Round of 16. Leeds United are not the only Premier League club interested in Camara, with Brighton & Hove Albion also believed to be in the race.
However, going by the report from Salzburger Nachrichten, the Whites seem to have stolen a march on their top-flight rival, with the player’s previous working relationship with Marsch influencing Camara’s decision. The report adds that with Leeds now willing to spend €30 million for Die Roten ace, a deal could be finalised sooner rather than later.
Likened to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante owing to his lack of height, short speed, intelligent game-reading, and low centre of gravity, the diminutive enforcer is extremely good at manoeuvring his way out of tight spaces and is a combination of close control, composure and progressing the ball.
Needless to say, Phillips’s absence will leave a gaping hole in Leeds’s midfield. So, signing two high-calibre players in Camara and Adams to fill his shoes should only be more shrewd business from the Leeds hierarchy as they continue to add quality depth after an injury-hit campaign last season.