Boubacar Kamara completes Aston Villa transfer after snubbing Man Utd interest

Aston Villa have beaten Manchester United to the signing of Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

The 22-year-old was available on a free transfer after confirming he wouldn’t be signing an extension at the Stade Velodrome. United had previously been linked with Kamara, but Steven Gerrard’s side have now confirmed he has signed a five-year deal at Villa Park.

Gerrard said: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract one of the most promising young talents in European football. We have a very clear plan to make our team stronger and Bouba is an important part of that.”

Kamara has recently received his first call-up to the French national team and admitted that the decision to work alongside the legendary former Liverpool skipper was an easy one to make. “When I met with Steven, Christian and Johan in my home I knew Aston Villa was for me. Their ambition and determination to succeed matches my own. I cannot wait for pre-season to get going,” he told the club’s official website.

Kamara joins Philippe Coutinho having already signed for the ambitious Midlands outfit, who will be looking to kick on from a Premier League campaign which saw them briefly flirt with relegation. Any concerns about dropping into the Championship were quickly alleviated following the arrival of Gerrard however, guiding them to a comfortable 14th place finish.

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On United's part, their need for a defensive central midfield player is clear with the imminent departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba reducing what was already a threadbare position. Ralf Rangnick completed his miserable stint as interim boss with defeat on the final day at Crystal Palace