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Aston Villa are ready to use the signing of Philippe Coutinho in their efforts to bring Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara to Villa Park this summer, according to reports.
That saw Aston Villa make his move permanent ahead of the summer transfer window with a £17m transfer sealed last week.
The Athletic claim that Aston Villa ‘are in a position to rival any offer’ from Atletico Madrid for Marseille midfielder Kamara this summer with the Frenchman available on a free transfer in the upcoming window.
The 22-year-old, who can also play in defence, has played 46 times in all competitions for Marseille this term and Aston Villa ‘will use the Coutinho signing as proof of their ambition’ to help persuade Kamara to join.
Coutinho has impressed on loan at Villa this season with the playmaker contributing four goals and three assists in the Premier League since January.
Villa made a bid for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma in the January transfer window – which was quickly rejected – but they ‘were not prepared to go too high’ as they knew signing Kamara was an option this summer.
At 29, Coutinho still has plenty to offer Villa and the club’s hierarchy are now hoping that the Brazilian can boost their chances of bringing in more top quality signings this summer.