Southampton Opinion: Saints should grab the chance to complete Guido Carrillo-Mady Camara swap deal

According to claims from Greek news outlet SDNA, Southampton and Olympiacos are reportedly looking forward to some fruitful business in the summer window, with reports claiming that the clubs are about to enter talks over a swap deal involving midfielder Mady Camara and forward Guido Carrillo.

SDNA understands that the Saints have been keeping tabs on Camara over the past few months and they are expected to monitor the 22-year-old’s performances for Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held later in the month.

The same source claims that Super League giants Olympiacos are interested in signing out-of-favour Southampton forward Guido Carillio, who spent this past season on loan at Leganes in the La Liga under former Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino. And any potential move involving Carillo to Olympiacos could facilitate a move for Camara in the other direction.

Southampton, however, are not the only Premier League club to have been linked with a move for Mady Camara, with reports claiming that the 22-year-old has also caught the eye of Newcastle United and Watford with his stellar run of form in his debut season in Greece. (h/t Evening Standard)

Camara started playing in the youth ranks of AS Kaloum and Santoba FC back in his homeland before earning a move to France with Ligue 2 outfit Ajaccio in 2016.

The 22-year-old made an instant impact in the French second-tier and established himself as one of the key cogs on Ajaccio’s midfield, playing an important role in the club’s march to the semi-finals of the promotion-playoffs in the 2017-18 season.

The Guinean’s strong displays in France were enough to convince Olympiacos of his talent and potential and the Greek giants swooped for him last summer.

Camara managed to replicate his heroics for the Greek heavyweights in his inaugural season and contributed with 6 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions from a deep position in the midfield. Also, he earned rave reviews for his performances in the group stages of the Europa League.

Essentially a defensive midfielder by trade, Camara is capable of switching between holding and box-to-box roles in the middle of the park. A strong, tenacious and hardworking midfielder noted for his drive, determination, uncompromised work-rate and high levels of stamina, Camara excels with his impressive range of passing and accurate ball distribution.

An agile, athletic and tough-tackling presence in the middle of the park, the Guinean never shies away from a challenge and is always prepared to get his hands dirty for the sake of his team.

The 22-year-old is not only adept at breaking up the play but he is also capable of carrying the ball forward with his youthful burst of energy. To add to that, Camara has the intelligence and the movement to make late but well-timed runs into the box to get his name on the scoresheet.

To put things into perspective, Southampton should look to increase competition for places in the midfield and Mady Camara presents a good long-term prospect. Also, the Saints should be happy to let Guido Carrillo depart the club permanently as it is pretty apparent that he doesn’t have a future at St.Mary’s.

Carrillo’s big-money move to Southampton from Monaco back in January 2018 proved to be a complete disaster, with the striker failing to make any kind of an impact in English football.

Given that he has already been deemed surplus to demands at St.Mary’s, it won’t make much sense for the Saints to keep him on their books for much longer, and offloading him permanently would allow them to reinvest the money in a bid to improve other areas of the squad.

Camara, on the other hand, perfectly fits the profile of players that Southampton are looking to bring in under Ralph Hasnehuttl.

The Saints have already set the ball rolling in the market with the £15 million move for 20-year-old Malian international winger Moussa Djenepo and 22-year-old Camara could prove to be another wonderful addition to their ranks.

Hasnehuttl has favoured the exuberance of youth ever his arrival at Southampton, with players like Matt Targett, Josh Sims and Yan Valery assuming a much more significant role in the first-team.

The Saints have the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oriol Romeu as options in central midfield but a promising youngster like Camara could increase competition for places and add a little bit more depth in a key area of the pitch.

Besides the fact that the Guinean would add a lot of energy and aggression to the midfield, the 22-year-old is undoubtedly a player with a mountain of potential and the Saints might as well have a gem on their hands should he go on to fulfil his promise in the years to come.

Southampton, under Hasenhuttl, have shifted their focus towards recruiting youngsters and Camara certainly fits the bill.

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Southampton should be happy that they have finally found a suitable buyer for Carrillo, and the inclusion of a bright emerging prospect like Camara in the swap deal should set the fans licking their lips.