West Ham must act now to sign Kamara at bargain price: Analysis

Marseille's French defender Boubacar Kamara gestures during the French L1 football match between Marseille and Saint-Etienne at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southern France on August 28, 2021. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Marseille's French defender Boubacar Kamara gestures during the French L1 football match between Marseille and Saint-Etienne at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southern France on August 28, 2021. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
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West Ham have been linked with a move for Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

His contract is expiring at the end of the season, therefore he could be available in January for just £5 million.

If the Hammers wait for the summer, when he becomes a free agent, there could easily be a queue of top European clubs wanting to sign him. West Ham should make a move sooner rather than later.

West Ham must bid now or risk missing out on signing highly-rated Marseille midfielder, Boubacar Kamara.

Marseille’s French defender Boubacar Kamara (L) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Marseille’s French midfielder Dimitri Payet (R) during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and FC Lorient at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France on October 17, 2021. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Marseille’s French defender Boubacar Kamara (L) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Marseille’s French midfielder Dimitri Payet (R) during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and FC Lorient at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France on October 17, 2021. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)

The 22-year-old has already captained Marseille on multiple occasions and he is predominantly a defensive midfielder, but can also cover at centre-back. This makes him a great option. He would provide cover for Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice (potentially even being the latter’s replacement), meanwhile Alex Kral is clearly not trusted yet, as shown in the 3-2 defeat to Leeds despite the midfield being overrun in Soucek’s absence. Manuel Lanzini started but is better further forward unless the Irons are playing a team they can dominate the ball against.

The versatility Kamara has to play at central defence is also vital. Craig Dawson is playing on despite injury, Angelo Ogbonna is out injured, Issa Diop has lacked consistency and Kurt Zouma is nearing a return to bolster the defence.

But it is clear West Ham want a centre-back in January with Kortney Hause and Nathan Ake linked with moves to the club.

In an interview within the last week to Amazon, the Frenchman refused to rule out a potential transfer, “Yes it is true that the rumours are sending me left and right everyday. It is up to me to stay focused on the pitch, not to think about the rumours to be able to give my all to the team to help.”

He continued, mostly interestingly saying, “During the transfer window, everything is possible.”

As reported before on our site, through manager, David Moyes, and new Head of Recruitment, Rob Newman, West Ham are closely scouting Ligue 1 with multiple centre-backs and strikers believed to be of interest.

Clubs across Europe’s top five leagues have an interest in Kamara and signing him would be a major signal of intent. But with Champions League teams in the mix, West Ham have to act now before they miss out on a wonderful player.

For West Ham to keep their best players like Jarrod Bowen, being proactive in the transfer market is key. The club is in a great position in the Premier League, as well as the Europa League, to help continue that success on multiple fronts squad depth is needed.

Read a scouting report on Kamara on the next page to find out why he would be such a fantastic signing.