Marseille president says he still expects Newcastle linked midfielder Kamara to leave

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Marseille’s president has given clubs like Newcastle who are chasing Boubacar Kamara a boost as the midfielder enters the final months of his contract.

The 22-year-old has become a key part in the French giants side, but judging by their president Pablo Longoria’s comments, it looks like the Frenchman will be embarking on a different chapter in the summer.

The Magpies and every other club courting the youngster’s signature have effectively been given the green light to pursue him when his contract expires with Les Olympiens at the end of June.

Although Longoria hasn’t fully given up hope on Kamara penning new terms, he feels how players can run down their contracts is a “problem” in football.

Speaking to the Express, Longoria said: “I believe that, until the end, you have to have hope.

“There is no conflict with Boubacar Kamara. His commitment is unquestioned. I do not hide the fact that a club who developed a player is not in a comfortable situation when they could lose him.

“To tell the truth, the ending of a contract is a problem in today’s football. We have to think about how the industry works.

“Money that could have been passed between clubs before, now it’s in the pockets of agents and families. There are advantages to being a free player.”

After failing to secure a summer move, Kamara stayed in the south of France, but it looks like his current club could already be making plans for his departure.

Despite their well-documented desire to keep hold of Kamara, they have decided to make the loan signing of fellow midfielder Matteo Guendouzi a permanent one from Arsenal.

PIF have already lured away one of Ligue 1’s best midfielders this year in Bruno Guimaraes and there is every chance that Kamara could follow suit.

Barring a dramatic change in Kamara’s intentions, a whole host of clubs are going to be chasing his signature.

Aston Villa and Manchester United have held talks with the player’s agent according to The Telegraph.

But being the richest club in the world and having no transfer fee to be paid means Newcastle’s ability to offer a lucrative wage packet could be enough to convince Kamara that the Tyneside-based project is the right move for him.