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Boubacar Kamara is set to sign a five-year deal with Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard beats off competition from Atletico Madrid to bring in France U21 midfielder on a free transfer

Aston Villa are close to signing Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a five-year contract.

The 22-year old has agreed to join Villa ahead of interest from Atletico Madrid after a concerted effort from manager Steven Gerrard and his staff to convince the France U21 international his future lay in the Premier League.

Kamara is out of contract this summer and had plenty of interest but ultimately has opted to sign for Gerrard, following on the heels of Villa's £17million permanent deal for Philippe Coutinho.

Aston Villa are close to signing Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a five-year contract
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone

The 22-year old has agreed to join Steven Gerrard's men ahead of interest from Atletico Madrid

Villa also want free agent Burnley centre back James Tarkowski and have agreed a deal with Hearts for Scotland youth international midfielder Ewan Simpson, 15.