Boubacar Kamara had not played a match of any kind since January when he walked out in Bangkok on a hot August evening. By the hour mark he was on the pitch, and within a minute of the substitution he was celebrating a goal in a 3-1 pre-season win over BG Pathum United.

Three months later, Chelsea, Inter and Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are all tracking the 26-year-old Frenchman, according to Sports Illustrated citing the German outlet Fussball-news. No formal offer has been lodged at Villa Park, and no asking price has been set.

Why a January move looks difficult

Kamara is under contract at Villa until June 2030, per Polish outlet Sport1, which places his market value at around €50m and his weekly wage at roughly £150,000.

Villa manager Unai Emery, who is in talks over a new contract that would extend his stay beyond 2029, has made the Frenchman the pivot of his midfield since the return. Kamara has reclaimed the holding role that first made him one of Europe’s most dependable screens in front of the defense.

Read also: Arsenal have surprise new Premier League title challenger after Brighton’s latest victory

In comments to Vavel on 21 October, Emery described the midfielder as “intelligent” and “a good professional,” emphasizing his maturity and value to the team’s midfield operations.

‘It feels good to be back’

Kamara himself has spoken about his comeback in measured terms.

“After this long injury, I feel good. I’ve had time to recover my fitness, the routine of training and games,” he told Vavel.

The Villa midfielder was more direct the day after his pre-season goal.

Read also: “I can’t say i lead a happy life’: Elina Svitolina opens up after Gaël Monfils separation

“It’s good for the head. This goal will give me more confidence and I need to keep going,” he told the BBC on 5 August, after his first outing in a Villa shirt in seven months.

The Saudi wildcard

Al-Hilal bring the familiar wrinkle to the January calculation. The Saudi club’s budget could test Villa’s resolve in a way that Chelsea or Inter cannot easily match on wages alone, and Sport1 noted that Saudi money “may prove difficult to refuse.”

Villa’s stated position is that Kamara is not for sale. The outlet reported that the club intends to retain the French midfielder, citing his essential role in their Premier League setup. Chelsea, by that same reporting, would be better served treating Kamara as a long-term target rather than a January opportunity.

Read also: Carlos Alcaraz denies Taylor Fritz ATP finals spot as 20-year-old Spaniard makes history