Leeds United’s £8.6m hope and key influence in Summerville needs attention before skeptics take root

While reports on the continent continue to fluctuate around the amount of money Leeds United could sell Glen Kamara for, one should always be cautious about counting chickens. The amount of reports and the quality of some of the sources would suggest that Kamara is on his way.

Countless column inches have been devoted to Rennes’ interest in Kamara over the past two weeks. The whites never contested this, but until, it seems, Friday night or Saturday morning, there was nothing to accept or reject.

The reported fee range is from around £6.5m to £8.6m. Kamara was signed at the end of last summer’s window for around £5m on a four-year deal.

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With one year on from this deal, Kamara’s book value is around £3.75m. That means United’s financial fair play forecasts could be boosted by a profit of between £2.75m and £5m. As a business decision, it makes sense.

Red Bull’s investment and sale of Archie Gray is understood to have put the Whites in a good position in terms of profitability and sustainability obligations. Leeds feel they can sell players on their terms and say no if offers don’t meet their expectations.

If Kamara is leaving, it’s because Leeds see him as a good deal. It made no sense, through all the chatter around Rennes this month, Kamara made a fuss or asked for a move.

The moment will no doubt frustrate some supporters. There has been a balanced reaction to Joe Rothwell’s arrival on social media, but skeptics will be even less impressed if the Bournemouth loanee turns out to be Kamara’s eventual replacement. It may just be a coincidence, but the optics of one leaving a few days after the other arrived aren’t great.

Rothwell plus Kamara is a team that is moving in the right direction, but the former rather than the latter leaves the engine room feeling light. Rothwell will provide the attacking prowess around the final third Kamara has failed to provide, but if the Finn leaves, Leeds need to step up again.

In 40 league games, Kamara, playing as the more advanced of two central midfielders in Daniel Farke’s 4-2-3-1, provided zero goals and three assists. In a team that scored more goals than all but three teams and conceded fewer shots than all but one, the midfield production was one of the few weak spots in the final quarter.

The prospect of Kamara leaving shouldn’t immediately put him on the sidelines as Leeds can live off a poor player. The 28-year-old was at his best in some of the biggest games last season. Leicester City away and Ipswich Town at home come to mind.

Kamara could be a wrecking ball in the middle of the park. He was at his best effective at breaking up opposition attacks, protecting the ball and then recycling possession through the Leeds team for his own counter. His experience in big games, in such a young team, was vital and ensured that he never looked amazing in any game.

The former Rangers midfielder remained a quiet figure at Leeds. Despite being among the oldest regulars selected by Farke, he had no idea Kamara would wear the armband or be a vocal leader on the pitch.

He did, however, have influence behind the scenes. Kamara is understood to have been a key figure in the development of Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto at Thorp Arch. His is a voice that carried weight for them on the training ground.

While midfield is an area of ​​the team from last season, Leeds can certainly improve in this transfer window, especially with the loss of Gray, Kamara has played his part and has had a role to play since August in the act Farke’s two. Rothwell could prove to be that attacking upgrade they need, but before a competitive ball is kicked it would be prudent to target another of his ilk.

Kamara’s move would make financial sense, but it can only make competitive sense if that department is targeted again by Farke, Gretar Steinsson et al. At 29, Rothwell brings vital experience to a young dressing room, but the loss of 28-year-old Kamara would put them back in first place for now.