The Northern Echo claim Newcastle United are one of four Premier League clubs to have opened talks to sign Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a free. Crystal Palace, West Ham and Manchester United are also in talks.
Kamara, 22, is out of contract at the end of the season at Marseille. Despite his tender age, he has risen through the Marseille academy to clock up an enormous 154 senior appearances for Jorge Sampaoli’s side so far.
Little surprise, that Premier League clubs have come calling. Newcastle are said to have opened talks to land the uncapped Frenchman on a free – especially, as he provides cover at both centre-back and in central midfield.
However, Newcastle are not alone. Palace, West Ham and Manchester United have all spoken to the player’s representatives over a potential free transfer to the Premier League in the summer. United will be tempting.
The Sun reported in January that Kamara’s agents are looking to nab him a contract worth almost £8million a year – £150,000 a week. Whether he is worth that is another question, but Newcastle can afford it.
Newcastle, West Ham, Manchester United, Palace – who signs Kamara?
Even if Palace can negotiate his wages to a slightly smaller fee, handing him a contract above £100,000 a week is probably out of their price range. Similarly at West Ham, unless the Hammers qualify for European football.
Newcastle and Manchester United can afford it. United remain in the hunt for Champions League football and that would prove a tantalising proposition for Kamara – he might struggle to start. Newcastle is appealing.
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