Southampton is preparing a bid for Norwich City winger Abu Kamara, who has also been linked to a re-signing by Portsmouth FC this summer. However, Carlton Palmer has advised the Canaries to retain the player.
Norwich City is showing hesitation to lose Abu Kamara as they aim to include him in both their short and long-term plans, reports Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider. Despite this, Southampton is looking to make a move for Kamara.
The 20-year-old winger has attracted interest from Premier League and continental clubs after a successful loan spell with Portsmouth, where he helped them secure the League One title under John Mousinho.
Currently, Norwich is preparing for a new era with Johannes Hoff Thorup replacing David Wagner. Former Norwich hero Russell Martin, now at Southampton, is reportedly preparing a “formal offer” to bring Kamara to St. Mary’s for the upcoming Premier League season.
Kamara played a pivotal role in Portsmouth’s title-winning season, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists in 37 starts. His performance caught the attention of clubs like Brentford and SC Freiburg. After returning to Norwich, he has been a topic of discussion for both Portsmouth and their rivals, Southampton.
Career Stats:
– Norwich City: 3 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
– Norwich City U-21: 50 appearances, 31 goals, 7 assists
– Portsmouth: 52 appearances, 10 goals, 11 assists
Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer shared his thoughts on Kamara’s future. He believes Southampton or Portsmouth would need to pay £2-3 million for Kamara, who is under contract with Norwich until next summer with an option for an additional year.
Palmer emphasized Kamara’s quality and the reluctance of Norwich to let him go, especially after his strong pre-season performances. He advised Norwich to hold onto Kamara, as his value could increase if he excels in the Championship.
Kamara’s future with Norwich remains uncertain. Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has not ruled out Kamara’s return and is ready to act if Norwich makes him available. Continuity with Portsmouth could benefit Kamara’s development, but a move to Southampton would offer a chance to impress in the Premier League.
Selling Kamara now poses a risk for Norwich, as Palmer suggests his value could skyrocket with a successful season in the Championship.