The agent of Senegal international Ismaïla Sarr, Diomansy Kamara, has criticised the treatment of African footballers following the collapse of transfer moves involving Sarr and fellow Senegalese player Lamine Camara.
Kamara’s reaction came after Crystal Palace rejected Liverpool’s attempts to sign Sarr, while Monaco pulled out of an agreement that would have taken Camara to Chelsea before the transfer deadline.
Sarr was reportedly keen on a move to Liverpool, but Palace maintained that the forward was not for sale despite interest from the Premier League champions.
“We have to get out of this logic where the African player can sometimes give the feeling that he is just a commodity: you buy it, you set its price, you negotiate its future and, too often, your will seems to go into the background.
“Our African players deserve respect. The respect of their work. The respect of their careers. Respecting their ambitions. The respect of their voices.” Kamara said, according to the Daily Mail.
Camara’s proposed £47 million switch to Chelsea also collapsed in dramatic circumstances after Monaco reconsidered the deal while attempting to resolve the future of Folarin Balogun.
Reacting to both situations, Kamara said African players should not be treated merely as assets whose futures are determined by clubs.
He argued that players should have a stronger voice in transfer decisions, particularly when such moves directly affect their careers and ambitions.
The former Senegal international stressed that behind every transfer agreement is a player with professional aspirations and personal choices that deserve consideration.
Kamara called for greater respect for African footballers and urged clubs to recognise their interests during negotiations.
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