Atletico Madrid have been linked to the signing of Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara.
At least that's what RMC Sports journalist Daniel Riolo is reporting, and le10 sport Has released his comments.
After ending his 18-year tenure at Marseille, the France international joined Aston Villa on a free transfer in July 2022.
Kamara's refusal to commit his future to his boyhood club attracted interest from several European clubs and Unai Emery's side won the battle. His decision to leave the French club for Villains did not please Marseille president Pablo Longoria.
La Liga side Aston Villa wanted the player
Prior to his move to Villa Park, Riolo claims that Atletico Madrid had shown solid interest in the midfielder. In fact, the La Liga side had sent an official to France for face-to-face talks with him.
Los Rojiblancos wanted to include the 26-year-old in Diego Simeone's squad and the trip to France was mostly to convince him to choose him over others. Riolo gives an insight into what happened behind the scenes with the Spanish club.
"He almost went to Atlético. I'll tell you a little story anyway. At one point during the season Atlético showed interest in him. Joining such a club would have been a very good option for him," He said.
"Atletico were so interested in him that they sent their director to meet Kamara. They were wondering where they would meet. If they were seen together would people talk or not, etc. As it happens, the Atlético director is not very famous in France, so they thought, 'No problem, I'll come to you!'
Atletico official meets midfielder in France
The journalist did not mention details of the officer who had traveled to France.
"So he [the director] Went to Kamra's house. He arranged a meeting, gave him his address,” Riolo explained.
"He arrived, rang the doorbell, and Kamara welcomed him, in shorts, barefoot. The Atlético director said, 'I walked through the door, and I knew perfectly well that such a person could never sign with us. Because you can't welcome a sporting director dressed like that, without any consideration, without any thought. There were three dudes there, barefoot, in shorts…' He talked, and he thought, 'We would never have such a person. Will not be able to sign.
Atletico missing out on Kamara will surely please Emery and Aston Villa. Last July, the Premier League side rewarded him with a new contract until 2030.
