WHZ View: Boubacar Kamara can be the next Declan Rice at West Ham

Sat 10 July 2021 17:10, UK

West Ham target Boubacar Kamara is expected to be available for only £13million this summer.

Per French media outlet Espoirs du Football (via Get Football News France), cash-strapped Marseille are looking to cash in on the midfielder this summer and have offered him to a number of clubs.

However, they are still to receive an official offer from them.

As reported by L’Équipe & @EspoirsduFoot, the Boubacar Kamara (21) situation is causing concern at Marseille – they’ve offered him out everywhere but no bids this early in the window – OM need to raise through sales & he could go for as little as €15m + bonuses. Big opportunity.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 10, 2021

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The 21-year-old’s contract at the French club runs out next summer and with them in dire need of funds, he could be one of the prized assets to be sold over the next few weeks.

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According to The Daily Express, West Ham scouted him over the course of last season and could look to sign him on a discounted fee in this transfer window.

Next Declan Rice?

Much like Rice, Kamara started his career playing as a centre-back before eventually being converted into a defensive midfielder.

During games, both players drop deep to offer an extra body in defence and are also viable options to deploy in three-man defensive systems.

Both the players are exceptional passers of the ball and can help kick-start attacks while building from the back. Kamara averaged an 86.6 per cent pass completion rate this past season to Rice’s 86.5 per cent. [Statsbomb]

Having played as a defender, his ability to clear the ball make him a solid option to have in the side especially against teams that are expected to dominate possession against the Hammers.

In comparison to all midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, finds himself in the 84th percentile for clearances and the 83rd one for shots blocked. Rice, in comparison, is in the 60th and 57th percentile.

While Rice is better at reading passes and blocking opposition lanes, leading Kamara by 2 interceptions to 1.07 per 90 minutes, Kamara is by far the superior tackler.

He averages nearly 3 tackles won per game – putting him in the 84th percentile. Rice with 2.5, sits in the 66th percentile.

While the caveat is that he plays in the Ligue 1, stylistically the two are very similar, and he not only can be a backup but can also play alongside Rice and Tomas Soucek to form a midfield three against sides that have more creativity within their ranks.

David Moyes could deploy him as one of three defenders in a back three – as it’s a system he has used extensively this past season.

For a starting price of only £13million, he’s a steal in our eyes.

In other West Ham news, Euro club want to sign West Ham ace hailed by Mourinho, Irons could cash in – report

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