In the hunt to sign Boubacar Kamara, who is also a target for Newcastle United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have joined the fray. Kamara will be available for a free transfer in 2022.
According to a report from Foot Mercato, Barcelona might be in a bidding war with Bayern Munich, Newcastle United, and many other teams for the signature of Olympique Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara, who currently plays for the French club.
A product of Marseille’s development program, the 22-year-old made his first-team debut in September 2017 under then-manager Rudi Garcia, when he was only 17 years old. He has since progressed through the ranks. During the intervening year, Kamara has progressed in leaps and bounds, establishing himself as one of the most dependable young defensive midfielders in the French top division.
The Algerian international has made a total of 137 appearances with Marseille, scoring four goals and providing five assists in the process. Even though he is well regarded inside the club, the Frenchman may be leaving them after the current season. This is because Kamara’s contract expires after the season, and he is said to have turned down as many as four contract extensions offers in the past.
Newcastle United’s interest:
The scenario involving the defensive midfielder at Stade Velodrome has drawn the attention of various teams around Europe, with Newcastle United keeping a careful eye on the situation. The Magpies have had a long-standing interest in Kamara and were linked with a move for him during the summer transfer window, but a deal never materialized as a result of the club’s financial difficulties.
They are, however, prepared to go for the 22-year-old once again, thanks to the support of their very wealthy masters. Indeed, rumours from earlier this month claimed that they had presented a contract offer to the Frenchman on his behalf. However, they will now have to face competition from two of the most powerful teams in the world in the form of Barcelona and Bayern Munich to sign Kamara to a contract extension.
FC Barcelona’s interest in Kamara:
When you consider that Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets is nearing the end of his career and will soon be forced out of the starting XI, the club’s interest in the Marseille teenager makes perfect sense. If the Catalans were to sign Kamara on a free transfer after this season, they would be able to rotate Busquets more often, while also preparing the kid to take over from the captain in a year or two at the most.
Bayern Munich’s interest:
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, is unable to find a suitable replacement for midfield stalwart Joshua Kimmich. Marc Roca was recruited by Bayern Munich last year, but he has not been well received in the state of Bavaria and is slated to be released soon. Bayern Munich, it should be noted, is one of the teams that have shown an interest in signing the Spaniard in the past.
With his ability to play in central defence, Kamara could be considered as a possible replacement for Niklas Sule, who is out of contract at the end of the season. In midfield, he could provide cover and competition for Kimmich, while his ability to play in central mid makes him a potential replacement for Kimmich. Newcastle United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are all interested in signing the 22-year-old Frenchman, as is Italian side Juventus.
With so many major teams interested in signing him, the ball is firmly in Kamara’s court right now. When his contract with Marseille expires, only time will tell which club he will choose to sign with after that.