Southampton are ready to lodge a bid for Norwich City winger Abu Kamara, who Portsmouth FC have been linked with re-signing this summer, but the Canaries are reluctance to lose him.
That’s according to a report from Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, with it being said that the Saints are looking to make their move for Kamara’s services, despite Norwich wanting to make him a part of their short and long-term plans.
The 20-year-old has been the subject of previous interest from clubs in the Premier League and on the continent after enjoying a fruitful loan spell with Southampton’s bitter rivals Portsmouth, as the South Coast side romped to the League One title under John Mousinho.
At present, the winger’s current employers are preparing for a new era at Carrow Road as Johannes Hoff Thorup swiftly replaced David Wagner in May, just days after the Canaries were well-beaten by Leeds United in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg at Elland Road.
As well as the new appointment, sweeping changes across Hoff Thorup’s squad are looking increasingly likely as strong interest continues to circulate the East Anglian outfit’s star performers.
Southampton ready to make move for Norwich City’s Abu Kamara
Despite rarely featuring in Norwich’s first team under Wagner, with a total of three Championship appearances to his name, Kamara has proven to be a hot commodity throughout the transfer window so far, despite Norwich’s reluctance to see the England youth international depart on a permanent basis.
However, former Canaries cult hero Russell Martin and Southampton are said to be preparing a “formal offer” to prise the winger to St Mary’s ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Although the Saints regained their top-flight status at the first time of asking with a star-studded squad by Championship standards, some key performers have left the football club since their victory over Leeds United at Wembley Stadium, such as the wide duo of Ryan Fraser and David Brooks who have returned to Newcastle United and Bournemouth.
A potential fee that the top flight side will have to garner hasn’t been mooted within this latest update on Kamara’s potentially immediate future, but the winger is only under contract with Norwich until next summer, although the club do hold the option of a further 12 months.
The Canaries are said to be reluctant to let Kamara leave, however, which could be a spanner in the works for the Saints.
Southampton’s interest in Abu Kamara will equally concern Portsmouth as well as Norwich City
Such developments won’t just concern Norwich supporters as Hoff Thorup has clearly outlined his plans for the 20-year-old after heavy pre-season involvement, but it will frustrate Portsmouth’s fanbase in equal measure amid the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
Kamara played an instrumental role in Mousinho’s title-winning side last season with an accumulation of eight goals and 10 assists whilst starting in 37 of Pompey’s 46 League One outings.
Such form alerted the likes of Brentford and SC Freiburg back in December, but the winger returned to Carrow Road in June and has since been a hot topic of discussion in relation to the Fratton Park side, who have been linked with making a permanent return possible for the sought-after winger.
| Abu Kamara’s 23/24 League One stats | |
|---|---|
| Apps | 46 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Conversion rate (%) | 14 |
| Assists | 10 |
| Big chances created | 8 |
| Stats taken from Sofascore | |
It was reported on July 16th by Football Insider that Portsmouth were readying a bid of their own to recapture Kamara ahead of their Championship return before such news was played down in the local press by Mousinho, albeit a permanent move later on in the window wasn’t entirely ruled out.
“In terms of bids being prepared, I did see the story; I think what we have to do is write down a figure on a piece of paper and send it. There’s none of that,” the Pompey boss told BBC Radio Solent.
“I know it’s something that the fans are really excited about, but at the moment, there is no movement there.”
However, Mousinho has also suggested that Pompey would be interest in re-signing Kamara this summer.
Norwich City put in tricky situation over Abu Kamara’s future
After such an impressive loan with the Blues, it’s no real surprise that Kamara has been integrated into first-team plans at Norwich, with the belief that his third tier form can be translated at a higher level.
However, interest from a Premier League club does put the Canaries into a tricky situation, especially if a significant bid is forthcoming given their hopes for the winger and his current contract situation.
Kamara may also see Saints’ recent acquisition of Peterborough United’s Ronnie Edwards and look to emulate his fast-tracking to the Premier League, as Martin continues to offer chances to homegrown talents with exceptionally high ceilings of potential.
Norwich will be doing all they can to resist offers from either of the South Coast sides as well as Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht, but it looks as if we’re set for a fascinatingly poised transfer saga.
