Liverpool set to battle Newcastle United for highly rated 20-year old midfielder

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Guinean attacking midfielder Aguibou Camara in the January transfer window, but could face competition from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

Camara, 20, plays for Olympiakos in the Greek Super League and has also featured heavily in the Europa League this season.

The move might come as a surprising one as the player will be heading for the African Cup of Nations next month to represent his country so would be unavailable for immediate selection.

However, given his age and lack of senior experience it might be a signing option that has one eye on the future rather than a player who would go straight into Jurgen Klopp’s first team plans.

Here is everything we know about Camara and the reported interest from Liverpool.

Who is Aguibou Camara?

Aguibou Camara is a 20 year old midfielder who plays for Greek Superleague side Olympiakos and the Guinea men’s national football team.

Camara began his senior career with French Ligue 1 champions Lille and moved to the champions of Greece in July.

The Guinean has made 24 appearances in all competitions for Olympiakos this season and scored four goals.

He has featured heavily in the Greek side’s Europa League campaign from which they have qualified, finishing second in their group behind Eintracht Frankfurt and ahead of Fenerbahçe.

Camara has won nine caps for the Guinea national team and scored one international goal.

Liverpool and Newcastle interested in Camara?

A report coming out of France today has linked Camara with both Liverpool and Newcastle United.

The report compares the 20-year old with current Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and says his “sparkling performances” since moving to Greece have caught they eye of the Premier League duo.

If he does move it wont be cheap as the Guinean signed a four year contract with Olympiakos in the summer after turning down an offer from Lille who would not guarantee him regular playing time.

The report also describes the player as a “Guinean phenomenon” and says Liverpool and Newcastle will have to move quickly before other top European clubs start showing interest.

How much would Liverpool have to pay for Camara?

The report from France says that Olympiakos would look for around €15 million (£12.5 million) for the player but suggests the club may look to “raise the stakes” due to having the player tied down for the next three and a half years.

That’s far from an insignificant fee for a player who has played less than 25 first team matches in his career but one that is well within the budget for the Reds and Saudi Arabia backed Newcastle.

It’s far from the most exciting signing that either club have been linked with in the past few months, particularly Newcastle who seem to have been showing rumoured interest in well over a hundred different players, but could still prove a decent edition for either squad going by his reputation on the continent.

Whether or not a deal is on the cards remains to be seen.