Southampton are preparing to make a bid for Norwich City winger Abu Kamara, who Portsmouth FC has been linked with re-signing this summer. However, Carlton Palmer has advised Norwich to retain the player.
According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Norwich is hesitant to let Kamara go as they want to incorporate him into their plans for both the short and long term. Southampton is reportedly interested in acquiring Kamara’s services.
The 20-year-old has previously attracted interest from Premier League and international clubs following a successful loan spell with Portsmouth, where the team won the League One title under John Mousinho.
Currently, Norwich is entering a new phase at Carrow Road with Johannes Hoff Thorup taking over from David Wagner. Meanwhile, Southampton, under former Canaries favorite Russell Martin, is said to be preparing a “formal offer” to bring Kamara to St Mary’s for the upcoming Premier League season.
Kamara played a crucial role in Portsmouth’s title-winning team last season, contributing eight goals and ten assists while starting 37 of 46 League One matches. His impressive performance caught the attention of Brentford and SC Freiburg in December. Although he returned to Norwich in June, he remains a key topic of interest, with Portsmouth and their rivals also showing strong interest.
Abu Kamara’s career stats – per Transfermarkt:
Team: Appearances, Goals, Assists
Norwich City: 3, 0, 0
Norwich City U-21: 50, 31, 7
Portsmouth: 52, 10, 11
The exact fee Southampton might need to pay for Abu Kamara hasn’t been specified in the latest update, but the winger’s current contract with Norwich runs until next summer, with the club holding an option for an additional year.
Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer shared his perspective on Kamara’s situation and what he considers a fair price for the player. In an exclusive statement to Football League World, Palmer noted:
“Reports suggest Southampton are interested in Norwich City’s Abu Kamara, who can play both as a winger and a central forward. After a standout season in League One with Portsmouth, where he was instrumental in their title-winning campaign, Kamara has attracted significant interest. Southampton is reportedly preparing a formal offer.
Kamara is under contract with Norwich until 2025, with an option for an extra year. Given Russell Martin’s familiarity with Kamara from his Norwich connections, and the fact that Kamara is now part of Johannes Hoff Thorup’s first-team squad, Norwich is likely to be reluctant to part with him. He’s been performing well in pre-season and is seen as a key player for the team.
If Southampton or Portsmouth want to acquire him, they might need to offer around £2-3 million. This is relatively modest for Premier League standards, and the Canaries are likely to hold onto him unless a substantial offer comes in. Kamara is expected to continue improving, especially if he performs well in the Championship next season, which could further increase his value.”
If Norwich is open to letting Abu Kamara leave for this season, Portsmouth would be a sensible destination for him. Kamara had a significant impact during his loan spell at Fratton Park last season, and returning there could support his development, given the familiarity and the likelihood of regular starts.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has not ruled out the possibility of Kamara returning to the club. He mentioned to The Portsmouth News that Portsmouth is prepared to act if Norwich makes Kamara available.
Mousinho said, “I’m assuming the new manager at Norwich will want to assess him thoroughly before making any decisions. We’ll certainly be ready to respond if any opportunity arises from Norwich’s end. We know Abu performed exceptionally well for us last season, but we’re unsure of Norwich’s current plans or player needs. If Kamara becomes available, we’ll be in touch and see what happens.”
For young players, consistent first-team experience is crucial, particularly for those who have performed well in League One and are aiming to step up. Staying with Portsmouth might be the ideal scenario for Kamara’s growth.
Nonetheless, a move to a Premier League club like Southampton would be enticing, offering him the chance to showcase his skills in the top tier of English football. Such a move would be particularly disappointing for Portsmouth fans, reminiscent of the situation with Gavin Bazunu’s transfer across Hampshire.
Selling Kamara now poses a risk for Norwich, as Carlton Palmer noted, with his value potentially increasing significantly if he performs well in the upcoming season.
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