Aston Villa open negotiations with ‘Unai Emery’s most important signing of 2025’

Aston Villa are reportedly close to agreeing terms on a new contract for defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

The Villans are eager to tie down Kamara, whose current deal expires in June 2027, to a longer stay in the West Midlands. As Kamara has all the attributes required to thrive in a deep-lying midfield double pivot, manager Unai Emery sees the Frenchman as a pivotal cog in his robust and structured system.

Kamara’s versatility has also proven to be very handy as he has filled in at centre-back when the likes of Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings have been sidelined by injuries. Emery repeatedly praised Kamara’s performances in the auxiliary role throughout January, taking some of the focus away from the transfer speculation surrounding Jhon Duran at the time.

Birmingham World understands that Villa are still having to tread carefully to fulfil the requirements of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR). As a result, Kamara, as a high-value player, could theoretically be sold to ease concerns. Emery is determined to stop that from happening, however, and wants to emphasise his faith in his number 44 by rewarding him with improved terms.

With that in mind, Telegraph Sport reports negotiations are now underway between Villa and Kamara’s representatives. Conversations were initially held at the end of the January transfer window to confirm the intentions of both parties, and there is now an expectation an agreement can be finalised.

Aston Villa close to best signing of the year

The report from Telegraph Sport suggests tying down Kamara could be “Emery’s most important deal of 2025”, eclipsing the sensational loan signings of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on Deadline Day. That is not the most outrageous claim, as Villa are quite clearly and obviously worse off when Kamara is not in the starting lineup.

Emery had a taste of dealing without Kamara when the midfielder suffered a serious knee injury in the second half of last season, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Manchester United. When Kamara was absent, Villa’s results tailed off significantly, with eight wins, five draws and seven defeats in the final 20 matches of the season.

Champions League qualification was still secured with a well-earned 3-3 draw with Liverpool, but it was very touch-and-go in the final few weeks of the campaign. Kamara’s presence would have likely helped Villa to remain more consistent during those vital matches – and that feeling was confirmed upon his long-awaited return in October.

What other transfer business could Aston Villa complete?

Villa are already looking ahead to the summer window and for good reason as there is the genuine possibility of qualifying for the Champions League for a second successive year. Emery wants his squad up to scratch to compete on all fronts and transfer business can aid that.

A decision will have to be made for Rashford, who recently made his return to the England setup. Villa have a £40 million option to buy the Man Utd winger but his wage demands will have to decrease for that to be considered.

Asensio could also join for the long term as Paris Saint-Germain are open to letting him leave permanently for a cut-price fee this summer. The Spanish attacking midfielder has scored seven goals in his first seven appearances.

Meanwhile, Villa’s president of football operations, Monchi, has revealed an interest in signing Real Madrid winger Arda Guler.