Steven Gerrard wants to sign a natural defensive-midfielder this summer to relinquish the responsibility from Douglas Luiz and Calum Chambers, but it remains to be seen who Aston Villa will end up signing given how many players are on their shortlist.
The Midlands outfit have been linked with Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma and Burnley’s Josh Brownhill, but Simon Jones and Lee Davey of the Daily Mail say Olympique Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara might be a priority signing.
The 22-year-old rose through the youth ranks to L’OM’s first-team and has gone on to make 168 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals with six assists. Kamara is a regular at the Stade Vélodrome, has been outstanding this season and is soon-to-be out of contract, so it’s easy to see why Villa are keen.
The academy graduate has made 46 appearances across the board, scoring one goal with one assist. Kamara has made 67 tackles and 43 interceptions in 32 Ligue 1 games while being dribbled past just once every 124 minutes on average.
Kamara has made more tackles than Douglas Luiz (54) and boasts more interceptions than Tyrone Mings (42), so he would be a good addition to the ranks. If he’s available on a free transfer this summer, Villa should jump at the chance to sign him.
In other news, Aston Villa deserve medal if they sign Phillipe Coutinho for £20m less than agreed
