Boubacar Kamara turned down a move to Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid at ‘the last minute’ before opting to join Premier League outfit Aston Villa instead, according to Spanish publication AS.
During a difficult start to the new campaign for a Villa side who continue to look far worse than the sum of their parts, at least Kamara has held his own.
The shock signing of the France international certainly felt like a coup upon his arrival in May. And Kamara, the former Marseille lynchpin, has wasted no time showing what all the fuss is about; an energetic and industrious presence at the base of Steven Gerrard’s midfield proving himself to be equally comfortable in and out of possession.
“This kid is a phenomenon,” former Marseille team-mate Rolando once told RMC Sport of the 22-year-old. “He is full of qualities and, above all, he works, he listens. He is extraordinary.”
Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara turned down Atletico Madrid
Kamara was linked with a host of top European sides before signing a long-term deal with Aston Villa, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. According to AS, Kamara even turned down Diego Simeone’s 2021 La Liga champions at the eleventh hour; opting to join the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings at Villa Park.
Atletico ended up signing Axel Witsel, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, Benfica and Zenit instead.
The Belgium veteran has been utilised more regularly in a new-look central defensive position in the Spanish capital thus far, however. A position in which Kamara frequently thrived during his time at Marseille.
“I still feel good enough physically in order to play as a central defender,” Witsel tells AS; admitting that he was close to joining Everton and Tottenham Hotspur earlier in his career.
“In defence, I have to be more alert. It’s more difficult but it could extend my career. I prefer to play as a number six. But, if I have to play as a centre-back, I’ll be there.”
Kamara is set for a spell on the sidelines however after damaging his knee ligaments. An injury that could keep him out of the Qatar World Cup.
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