Middlesbrough blow as mega-rich Saudi side enter the race to sign transfer target
Middlesbrough's chances of signing Glen Kamara have been dealt a blow as mega-rich Saudi side Al-Shabab have entered the race.
Boro have been in talks with French side Rennes over a potential loan move for the midfielder this month, who has fallen out of favour with new boss Jorge Sampaoli and has not played since November. Boro were keen to add the 29-year-old's experience and tenacity to their midfield, though working through the financial details of the move was proving tricky.
Kamara was a €10 million signing from Leeds United last summer and is a high earner in France. Though Boro remain in talks with the Ligue 1 side, Fabrizio Romano says the Pro League side, led by former Turkey boss Fatih Terim, are now in advanced talks with Rennes to sign him.
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While Boro aren't yet believed to be out of the race, it goes without saying that they'd be unable to financially compete with Al-Shabab, both in terms of a deal with the club, and also in the wage they will be able to offer the 29-year-old Finland international.
Boro can still try and fight to convince Kamara on the move to Teesside, but they have also already identified other midfield targets in appreciation of the complexity of a Kamara deal. They are in talks with Derby County to sell Dan Barlaser this month as they instead look to try and add steel to their midfield, having missed Aidan Morris so much during his recent injury absence.
As well as 65 caps for his country, Kamara, who came through the academy at Arsenal, spent four years at Rangers and helped Steven Gerrard's side win the Scottish Premiership. He was a key player last season as Leeds made the Championship play-off final, only to miss out on promotion to Southampton.
