Leeds United midfielder Glen Kamara is subject to interest from Ligue 1 this summer, with Rennes leading the chase for the Finland international, according to Ouest France.
Kamara, who started 33 games for Daniel Farke’s side last season, was a consistent performer throughout the campaign which culminated in a play-off final defeat to Southampton in May.
The Fin only signed for the Whites last summer for a fee of around £5 million, as he swapped Rangers and Ibrox for regular football in the Championship. His impressive showings this season have made him a popular man with Leeds supporters and the hierarchy so it may not be an easy deal for any club pursuing him to pull off.
Rennes, who finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season but were in the Europa League positions as recently as two seasons ago, are attempting to lure Kamara away from Elland Road, with Ouest France reporting: ‘things are moving forward’. The French club are said to consider the former Colchester United man as a priority signing this summer.
Leeds though will not be keen to see their key man go, especially having invested a sizeable transfer fee in him just 12 months ago, and with Kamara having a contract running until 2027 it could well take another big bid to get a deal over the line.
Any potential transfer for Kamara could also have been put on hold this week following the news of Archie Gray’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £40 million. With Gray playing 44 times last season (11 more than Kamara), it undeniably leaves a big hole in the Leeds squad and could well delay any further outgoings.
It is also a surprisingly recurring connection between the two clubs as Rennes have been no stranger to signing players who have gone on to play for Leeds, with Djed Spence and Joe Rodon both spending time in Ligue 1 before heading to Yorkshire.
Writer’s View
Glen Kamara has earned a shot at topflight football, there will not be many who disagree with that, whether they are of a Leeds United persuasion or not. The former Arsenal youth man may have been hoping that would be with Leeds in 2024/25 after a successful promotion winning season, but that was not to be, and penning a four-year contract may well be something he regrets if he is denied a move away this summer.
With the aforementioned Archie Gray also heading out the door, if Kamara is to leave, Leeds have a major midfield rebuild on their hands with two key men missing from their third placed finish last season. Therefore it could well be that regardless of his wishes, Kamara is denied a move, purely so that Daniel Farke has some continuity in his squad for their upcoming promotion push. Whatever the outcome of this saga is all sides of the deal will want a solution sooner rather than later.
