Leeds United are apparently interested in signing Glen Kamara in a deal that would cost the Whites at least £8m.
At least that’s what reports from Football Insider are saying.
This is a very interesting prospect as the Finland international is an experienced player at a very high level having played Europa League football regularly for the Glasgow outfit.
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He would certainly add a little bit more quality to the Championship side, and not only that, he’d provide more depth in the middle of the park as Leeds have struggled there due to ongoing injury problems affecting Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton.
However, signings from Scotland have proven to be rather hit and miss in the Championship in recent years with the likes of John McGinn flourishing at this level, helping Villa to the Premier League, but others such as Jason Cummings, scoring just once for Forest, have struggled to adapt to their new surroundings.
So would Kamara be a good signing for Leeds? We’ve asked our team of writers to give their opinions.
Matt Dawson “Leeds have multiple options in midfield but I think this has the potential to be a really smart signing, one that adds something to the Whites that has been missing since Adam Forshaw was injured earlier this season.“The former Middlesbrough man was enjoying an incredibly consistent season in the middle of the park, providing an element of safety and security. He kept things ticking over with a pass success rate of 89.7%, the highest of any Leeds player in 2019/20. Fans themselves admitted earlier in the campaign that they missed him but by acquiring someone like Kamara, they’d find themselves a player in a similar mould. “He hasn’t been spectacular for Rangers this term but there’s definitely a player in there who knows how to dictate the tempo of the game and keep things assured. The 24-year-old has completed 91.9% of his passes in the Europa League, creating chances against Porto and Feyenoord. That points to a man who knows how to perform against above-average opposition and there are few better managers to learn from when you’re a midfielder than Steven Gerrard. “It wouldn’t be a coup, but it could be a cunning piece of business that goes under the radar.” Lewis Blain “Leeds United chasing Glen Kamara has all the hallmarks to be a flop signing, in my mind. Marcelo Bielsa has a wealth of riches in the central midfield position – Mateusz Klich has only just signed a contract extension, Kalvin Phillips acts as the glue that holds it all together and that’s on top of having Adam Forshaw, Jamie Shackleton, and young prospect Mateusz Bogusz at their disposal.“The 24-year-old would find it hard to break into such a competitive role unless there are other forces at work here such as a Phillips’ possible departure – but for now, that remains to be seen. Kamara failed to make the grade at Arsenal and has found himself plying his trade in the Scottish Premier League, which isn’t comparable to the Championship let alone the top-flight, where Leeds ultimately want to be.“Against the big boys in the Europa League this campaign he has often lost possession, which is a worrying sign for a player that’s either an anchorman in defensive midfield or the general of the engine room. Leeds can do far, far better than settling for mediocrity, especially if they want to be true to their Premier League ambitions.” Vijievan Jeevathayalan
“A former academy product at Arsenal, Glen Kamara has re-built his career following his release from the Emirates.
The Finland international played 64 times for Dundee, before earning a high-profile move to Rangers.
“At Ibrox, he has not enjoyed the most productive of times when it comes to featuring in the Scottish Premiership, completing the 90 minutes just five times. However, his quality cannot be undenied, and Leeds must look past his struggles to force his way into Steven Gerrard’s side.
“In his four Europa League appearances, he has averaged an impressive 53.3 touches and 0.8 interceptions per game.
“That ability to dictate the play but also breaking up opposition attacks could be invaluable to Bielsa. His Rangers teammate Scott Arfied even described him as the “biggest steal of the century”. Leeds must snap him up as soon as they can.”
Charles Jones
“I think that Kamara would be quite a smart signing for Leeds United.
“The Whites don’t have all that much depth in the middle of the park, and he would alleviate some of the problems that have been caused by injuries to Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton in recent weeks.
“Marcelo Bielsa has got round these problems by playing Stuart Dallas in the middle of the park, and with all due respect to the Northern Irishman, he’s not a midfield player.
“Adding someone with Europa League experience to a squad pushing for promotion can’t be a bad idea, and if Leeds can get this one done it’d be a decent piece of business.”
