Aston Villa will pursue a summer move for Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
The lowdown: Premier League interest
The 22-year-old has been widely linked with a move to England previously, with West Ham, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Leeds United all credited with an interest.
Out of contract at the end of the season (Transfermarkt), Kamara is expected to be hot property in the summer as clubs vie to land the coveted youth international - who was hailed as "exceptional" by RMC Sport commentator Jonatan MacHardy - on a free transfer.
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It now appears that Villa manager Steven Gerrard may also be an admirer after the 41-year-old was spotted in attendance during Marseille's 3-2 Ligue 1 victory over Nantes recently...
The latest: Jones makes exciting claim
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has claimed that the nine-cap France under-21 starlet is 'on the radar' at Villa Park and that Gerrard was indeed on a scouting mission.
When asked if the Villa boss was in Marseille to watch potential transfer targets, the journalist replied: “I think it’s quite likely the case, especially Kamara.
“I think he is somebody that’s been on their radar a little while and they’re currently weighing up who is going to fit best into the team in that position.
“Steven Gerrard is currently going around a few places and just seeing for himself exactly how he thinks their personality on the pitch would fit in with what his vision is at Aston Villa.”
The verdict: Shrewd move
Signing Kamara for nothing would be a superb piece of business as Gerrard attempts to bolster the Villa ranks this summer.
Their midfield department is currently made up of John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, Morgan Sanson and Marvelous Nakamba, although both Sanson and Nakamba have been linked with departures.
This season, the defensive-minded midfielder - who is a close match for Liverpool star Fabinho stylistically (FB Ref) - has earned a superb 7.13 Sofascore rating whilst enjoying 82.4 touches, making two tackles and winning 4.7 duels per game in the French top flight.
With the future of Sanson in doubt and Carney Chukwuemeka still developing, adding a player of Kamara's quality to the Villa squad without any transfer fee is a no-brainer.
In other news, journalist urges Steven Gerrard to focus on key position at Aston Villa. Read more here.