Boubacar Kamara in an interview. (imago Images)
As per a report by the Daily Mail (h/t Shields Gazette), Newcastle United are hopeful of signing Marseille starlet, Boubacar Kamara. The Frenchman is in the last year of his contract and Newcastle aim to bring him on for a fee in the region of £12m. Kamara has spent the entirety of his footballing career on Marseille’s books.
He has also represented France on several levels in the youth category and is already a regular for the French club. He has even managed to gather several appearances in Europe and at the age of 21, looks to be a bright prospect. But should Steve Bruce push through for a deal to bring him at St. James’ Park this summer? Let us find out.
Newcastle United can use some defensive midfielders to give their defence an added level of security. They do have a few central midfielders vying for starts but Isaac Hayden has become the team’s first-choice defensive midfielder. But like all footballers, the 26-year-old is not immune to injuries and had a serious knee issue towards the end of last season.
Hayden can use cover in midfield but the Magpies can’t really offer a lot of that. Jack Colback left last year while Joe Willock’s loan spell came to an end this summer. Jonjo Shelvey, in that regard, has proven to be a solid addition to the team but that’s no way near enough if Newcastle want a strong squad ahead of the new season.
Bruce also used a formation with three central midfielders a number of times last season, which only warrants more depth in their midfield. Keeping the near future in mind, both Sean and Matthew Longstaff are now in the final year of their contracts. The latter, 21, even reverted to playing for the U23 earlier this year, showing a lack of trust from his manager.
Jeff Hendrick is another player on their roster but he is more of a central midfielder who has also deputized as a wide man. In Kamara, Newcastle would get themselves a defensive-minded midfielder, a position which he has played in for a large part of his Marseille career. Moreover, he is equally adept at playing as a centre-back.
This versatility is something that should excite his potential suitors, especially Newcastle United. With Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez being 32 years old by the end of this year and Fabian Schar’s contract expiring next summer, Kamara can be a good prospect to add to the Toons’ defence, in the short, as well as the long term.
At 21, he has a long time ahead of him to unlock his full potential and become the best version of himself on the field. With Kamara also in the last year of his deal at Marseille, it could hand Newcastle some sort of an upper hand if and when the negotiations do begin for him. With 122 senior appearances already under his belt, Kamara is a player ready for first-team action.
Newcastle also let in 62 league goals last season, which was just one fewer than bottom-placed Sheffield United. That is a stat sure to worry fans and one way to try and improve on that is by adding new faces that add depth and strength to their defence. Kamara would surely fall in that category, and the club should push ahead for a potential move.
