Sunderland are reportedly interested in the signing of Stade Rennais midfielder Glen Kamara.
With the January transfer window set to open, Sunderland are already examining their options to bring to Wearside.
One player they are reportedly interested in acquiring is Stade Rennais midfielder Glen Kamara, who has previously applied his trade with fellow Championship promotion chasers Leeds United, as well as Scottish giants Rangers.
Starting his youth career at Olarin Tarmo, he made the move to England in 2011 to join Southend United in 2011 before a move to Arsenal’s Academy in 2012.
Now, he finds himself in Ligue 1 with Stade Rennais, notching 13 appearances in the French top flight so far in the 2024/25 campaign.
The Finnish international, who Sunderland are reportedly interested in signing in a loan deal, could join amid uncertainty surrounding Sails Abdul Samed’s current fitness.
- READ MORE: Dan Neil 9/10 as two score 5… Sunderland player ratings after 2-2 draw vs Blackburn Rovers
Glen Kamara career so far
Born in Tampere, Finland, Kamara’s first sniff of first-team football came with Premier League giants Arsenal, finding himself starting in midfield for Arsene Wenger’s side in a shock 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Following that, Arsenal sanctioned loan moves that saw him moved on to Southend United followed by Colchester United before a permanent move to Dundee in the Scottish top flight.
Having impressed in the Scottish Premiership, he signed for Rangers in the 2018/19 campaign, notching 193 appearances for the Scottish giants before a move to Championship side Leeds United.
After a year with Daniel Farke’s Leeds, he was snapped up by French side Stade Rennais, where he currently plays.
- READ MORE: 49-touch Sunderland ace once again offered ‘big contribution’ vs Blackburn, it’s not Rigg or Isidor
What they say about Glen Kamara
Daniel Farke, via Leeds Live, after his Leeds United debut: “I think he was excellent in his passing, his positioning against the ball.
“Obviously not a perfect performance even though there were some areas we can improve but if you keep in mind that this was the first competitive game for him for clubs in a really long while, you have to say you have to give him lots of praise and I’m pleased that he repaid as much as possible.”
Steve Gerrard, via Sky Sports after Kamara made his Rangers debut: “He was a class act the other night, I thought he was superb from start to finish. Without Alfredo’s goals he would certainly have been man of the match.
“It was nice to see midfielders taking the ball off the guys at the back and making us tick. Glen connected the game really well.
“He was also very aggressive out of possession and that’s where I believe he can keep improving and moving forward and become an even better player than he is now.”
- READ MORE: Wilson Isidor sends message to Sunderland fans after Blackburn Rovers draw, he’s not entirely happy
Glen Kamara player profile
- Full name: Glen Kamara
- Age: 29
- Height: 1.78m (5ft 8in)
- Nationality: Finnish
- Date of birth: October 28th 1995
- Place of birth: Tampere, Finland
- Position: Central-midfielder
- Club: Stade Rennais
Glen Kamara to Sunderland analysis
Overall, it makes sense for Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris to be looking for a move for Glen Kamara, especially with his fruitful experience in both the Scottish Premiership and Championship.
The defensive-midfield area looks to be somewhat light in regards to the squad depth that is behind the dependable midfield trio of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Dan Neil.
Kamara would be perfect in offering competition to Neil in defensive-midfield, and is also versatile enough to push slightly further forward into Rigg’s position, something that could be important after his recent injury sustained in the draw against Blackburn Rovers.
As for the type of deal that would be sanctioned, a loan move would certainly be low-risk for the Black Cats, and to get someone with Champions League appearances against the likes of Liverpool and Napoli, he would certainly fit into the mould of being a top player at Championship level.