This is how Boubacar Kamara threw away one transfer before Aston Villa – ‘Could never sign for us’
Boubacar Kamara was close to joining Atletico Madrid instead of Aston Villa.
That is according to RMC Sport journalist Daniel Riolo, who claims the midfielder’s actions may have scuppered a move to the Spanish giants in 2022.
Kamara spent more than 15 years at Marseille before running down his contract with his boyhood club, and that is when Villa pounced.
The free agent signed on a five-year deal in the summer of 2022, and since then, the 26-year-old has become Unai Emery‘s midfield enforcer.
Then-Villa boss Steven Gerrard eventually played a big role in convincing the France international to head to Villa Park, but it could have been very different.
Bizarre reason behind Boubacar Kamara’s failed Atletico Madrid move emerges
Diego Simeone’s team were interested in signing Kamara when his Marseille contract expired.
He adds that during the 2021-22 season, Atletico figureheads met with the young Frenchman over a possible transfer, but when they greeted him at his home, they were put off by his attire.
Riolo said, via Le 10 Sport: “So he [the Atletico director] went to Kamara’s house. He has made an appointment with him, and he gives him his address.
“He came, he rang the doorbell, and then Kamara greeted him in shorts, barefoot, and the sporting director of Atletico said, ‘I walked through the door, and I knew very well that a guy like that could never sign for us, because we don’t welcome a sports director in this outfit, without consideration, without anything’.
“There were three friends, barefoot in shorts. They discussed, he said to himself, ‘We will never be able to recruit a guy like that’.”
This may have been a big missed opportunity for Atletico. But for Villa, he has proven to be a superb acquisition. Indeed, last summer, he signed a five-year deal to extend his stay until 2030.
- Read more: Everything we know about Morgan Rogers’ Aston Villa contract: Exit speculation, wages and more
Aston Villa missing Kamara’s presence in Premier League
Villa have been unlikely Premier League title contenders this season, with Kamara playing a big part in that bid for success, which has likely passed now.
However, his season appears to be over after he suffered a serious knee injury in a FA Cup third-round win over Tottenham on 10 January.
That led Villa to sign former player Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus for the rest of the season to provide midfield cover.
And before he got injured, the difference Kamara made in Villa’s midfield was plain to see.
| Aston Villa’s Premier League results this season with and without Boubacar Kamara before injury | |
| With Kamara: (1) 12 wins from 17 games (2) 29 goals for and 16 against, (3) 2.3 points per game | |
| Without Kamara: (1) One win from five games, (2) Four goals for and nine against, (3) 0.3 points per game |
Villa still have plenty to play for this season. If they beat Leeds United on Saturday, they will go within five points of league leaders Arsenal.
While they exited the FA Cup at the hands of Newcastle United last Saturday, they are still in the last 16 of the Europa League this term.
They face an uphill task to win the league, but have as good a shot as anyone to win in Europe. But it will be a lot harder without Kamara in their ranks.
For even more Aston Villa news, head over to Football Insider for the latest.