Ryan Taylor has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Mohamed Camara.
What's the talk?
In a recent post on Twitter, the Daily Express journalist revealed that, following a number of reports linking Victor Orta with a move for the Red Bull Salzburg midfielder this summer, the Austrian side have now excused the 22-year-old from their pre-season training camp in order for the Mali international to resolve his future.
Taylor goes on to claim that the Whites have been in direct contact with the midfielder's representatives regarding a potential summer switch, with Salzburg believed to be demanding a figure in the region of £25m in order to part with the former FC Liefering starlet this summer.
Finally, the journalist claims that Camara himself is open to the possibility of a move to the Premier League ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, while Graham Potter's Brighton & Hove Albion are also said to be pursuing a deal for the 15-cap international.
In his tweet, Taylor said: "Red Bull Salzburg have excused Mohamed Camara from their pre-season training camp, so midfielder can resolve his future. Leeds have been in direct contact with his representatives. 22-year-old is valued between £17m-£25m & wants PL move. Brighton also in mix."
"Top replacement"
With Kalvin Phillips looking set to secure a £42m move to Manchester City in the coming days, it is not difficult to understand why Victor Orta now appears to have stepped up his efforts to bring the RB Salzburg midfielder to Elland Road this summer.
Indeed, over his 25 Austrian Bundesliga appearances last season, the £24.3m-rated Malian was in spectacular form, scoring one goal, providing three assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.9 shots, making 1.0 key pass and completing 1.8 dribbles per game.
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The £2.9k-per-week talent also impressed in metrics more typical of a holding midfielder, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.9 tackles, 45.8 passes, 4.8 long balls and winning 6.4 duels - at a success rate of 61% - per fixture.
These returns saw the player who Conor McGilligan dubbed a "top replacement" for Phillips average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.20, ranking him as the tenth-best player in the entire division last time out.
Camara also impressed over his eight fixtures in the Champions League, making an average of 1.5 interceptions, 2.1 tackles, 40.3 passes, 3.6 long balls and winning 7.4 duels - at a success rate of 58% - per outing, with these returns seeing the 22-year-old average an extremely admirable SofaScore match rating of 6.94 - ranking him as Matthias Jaissle's second-best performer in Europe's most prestigious club competition.
As such, with there soon to be a Phillips-shaped hole that will require filling in Jesse Marsch's midfield, it is clear to see that the player who himself claimed has "three lungs" would appear to be an exceptional replacement for the England international - with Taylor's latest update sure to be news that will leave supporters of the Whites buzzing.
AND in other news: Orta given green light for "supreme" £35m Leeds signing, it'd be a massive coup